Shillong, Feb 05: Meghalaya legislator’s brother who was abducted by suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants , after six days of captivity was at last released.
Naga M. Sangma, 39, the younger brother of Independent legislator Samuel M. Sangma was released after Rs 20 lakh was allegedly paid for his release. The GNLA militants had abducted Naga, a coal exporter to Bangladesh, on January 30 nights from his house at Gasuapara in South Garo hills.
A police source said that he was freed early Wednesday morning in a forested area between Chokpot-Gausapara bordering Bangladesh.
“We came to know that he has reached his house at Gausapara early this morning between 1 a.m to 2 a.m. We don’t know if ransom amount was paid for his release as we have not been able to interrogate him,” police said.
However, the police are not aware if ransom amount was paid by his relatives to secure the release of Naga. But an intelligence official claimed that the hostage was released after the GNLA was paid a ransom of Rs.20 lakh.
The family members of Naga also denied paying the ransom demanded by the Garo rebels.
There were several instances in the past even when the outfit has demanded and extort money from the coal traders in Meghalaya.(SP News)
