Some top government officials in Meghalaya have received extortion demands amounting to several lakhs of rupees by a little-known militant group formed by a deserter deputy superintendent of police.
A Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills district has received an SMS from the Garo National Liberation Army demanding Rs 30 lakh, the police said on Friday.
The District Transport Officer of the district as well as a Block Development Officer have also been asked to part with Rs 40 lakh each by the group which has been on an extortion spree in the Garo hills area of the state of late.
East Garo Hills deputy commissioner Pravin Bakshi said the intention of the militant organization is to create fear in the minds of local businessmen and extract a hefty sum.
Bakshi said five GNLA cadres had been detained in the last one month for serving demand notes on lessees of weigh bridges, local businessmen and coal merchants.
GNLA, still in its nascent stage, is led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Champion Sangma, who has been absenting from duty for one and a half years. Although departmental proceedings are on against him, he is yet to be dismissed from service.
Its self styled general secretary Novembirth Sangma was arrested from Siliguri recently.
{{/usCountry}}Its self styled general secretary Novembirth Sangma was arrested from Siliguri recently.
{{/usCountry}}There have also been reports of kidnapping of traders by the group in the recent past.