4 more traders abducted, GNLA hand suspected
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Shillong, June 25 2014:
The abduction spree within the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya is continuing unabated with four small time traders allegedly abducted by suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants at about 7 am Wednesday morning.
The four who were travelling together to the weekly bazaar near the town of Dadenggre, were abducted by armed militants from the Kantanagre area, under the Dadengre Police Station.
Police suspect the hand of the banned (GNLA) in the latest abduction as well.
The four abducted small time traders have been identified as Gulu Sheikh, Shah Alom, Ajgar Ali and Musaddar Ali.
Azgar and Mussadar Ali are brothers who hail from the village of Kaimbathapara, near Chibinang in West Garo Hills (WGH).
According to sources, the four traders had left early Wednesday morning from their home in Kaimbathapara, near Chibinang about 90 kms from the town of Tura.
They were in a Mahindra Pick-Up and were on their way to the weekly market in Dadeng to purchase betel nut in bulk when they were stopped by armed militants and were taken at gun point towards Dipogre, when last seen.
"We suspect the hand of the GNLA behind the abduction as there are ongoing police operations near the area where the kidnapping happened.
Our operations to locate the four are on and as of now it is too early to comment.
We are combing the area for further clues, but suspect that they have been taken further into the jungle," said Digvijay Singh, the OC on deputation at Phulbari Police Station under whose jurisdiction Chibinang falls.
Police operations against the militants within the area have been on since Wednesday evening after reports of GNLA militants taking shelter there.
"We are really scared for our lives.
Where do we move to earn our bread? Every time we move, there seems to be a danger to our lives.
Will we ever be able to move freely again?" asked one trader of Chibinang, who is also engaged in the same trade as of those kidnapped.