Tura, June 26: Meghalaya police today rescued four abducted traders
unharmed from the clutches of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and United Liberation front of Asom (Independent) from a remote location
in West Garo Hills, killing one ULFA (I) cadre.
The four traders were abducted yesterday, when they were on their way
to Dadenggre weekly market from Phulbari town in West Garo Hills.
Phulbari is located at a distance of 100 km from Tura and Dadenggre is
about 45 km from Tura.
The traders – Gulu, Shah Alam, Azgar Ali and Atwar Ali, all from
Kaimbathapara village under Phulbari police station, took Phulbari –
Dadenggre route, when they were abducted on gunpoint from Kantanagre
village at around 9:30 am.
They were travelling in a pick-up van. The operation is still on to
nab the abductors.
West Garo Hills SP, Mukesh Singh said, “We had solid inputs about the
abductors and intensified our operation today from 6:30 am and managed
to zero down the hideout out at Darekgre, near Rongmasugre village and
rescue the traders at around 9:30 am.”
Police say that two sentries saw the police movement and fired first,
and the police retaliated.
In the exchange of fire, which lasted for about 15 minutes, one ULFA
(I) cadre was killed; others managed to escape, leaving behind the
four traders.
The remote location Darekgre village is towards Damal Asim village,
about 20 km Northeast of Dadenggre.
The slain ULFA (I) cadre has been identified as Dharma Kanta Rai, who
is popularly known to the GNLA as “Garo champa”.
“Rai was an IED expert and was used by the outfit to target police
movement. He was very much involved in the different abduction cases,
which has taken place in the last few months in plain belt area of
Garo hills”, said Singh.
Police say that at least nine cadres of both the outfits held the four
traders captive at Darekgre village. “We are yet to confirm in whose
house they were sheltered”, said Singh.
Unconfirmed reports say that they were taking shelter at the house of
village headman of Darekgre village. “We are waiting for our team to
return, who can give us all details about their operation. They have
recovered pistols, ammunitions, AKs, incriminating documents etc”,
said Singh.
Police strongly suspect that the entire abduction was planned under
the command of a GNLA top brass – Kimpret, who is the area commander
of Dadenggre.
Inspector general of police (Operations), G H P Raju said, “GNLA and
ULFA has been on a kidnapping spree from Dadenggre, Phulbari and
Tikrikilla area and have been sharing their loot. ULFA is taking the
support of GNLA in this area for shelter, finance raising, etc”.
He also informed that their group comprised of six GNLA and three ULFA cadres.(SP News)
