'Diplomatic channels to secure release of forest guards'

"India will use its diplomatic channels to secure the release of three Meghalaya forest guards being held captive in Sylhet in Bangladesh," chief minister DD Lapang told a press conference in Shillong on Wednesday.

"India will use its diplomatic channels to secure the release of three Meghalaya forest guards being held captive in Sylhet in Bangladesh," chief minister DD Lapang told a press conference in Shillong on Wednesday.

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"New Delhi will use its high commission in Dhaka to facilitate the release," Lapang said adding that Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had offered all assistance in the matter.

The three guards had accidentally crossed over into Bangladesh while taking a "short cut" last week. State Chief Secretary PJ Bazeley would now liaise with the Centre till the three were released, Lapang said. "I can't say for certain if the abduction is part of a political game-plan. But something is wrong somewhere," the chief minister said. VK Nautiyal, chief conservator of forest, has meanwhile said, "such incidents of straying into each other's territory have occurred in the past and have been tolerated by both sides". "We are indeed surprised at what has happened this time," Nautiyal said.