Shillong: The outlawed Garo
National Liberation Army (GNLA) Wednesday demanded withdrawal of central
forces from Meghalaya in return for setting free a government official
abducted two days back.
Heavily armed GNLA rebels abducted Block
Development Officer (BDO) P.K. Boro and two traders Dulal Modak and
Rokybul Haque from two areas of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district
Monday.
Boro was abducted at gunpoint from his official chamber
in Dadenggre while the traders were kidnapped from Kalchengpara weekly
market.
"Ten days' time will be given to the Meghalaya government
to withdraw the CoBRA (Combat Battalion for Resolute Action) commandos,
and if the government doesn't respond, we will send the dead body of
Boro," GNLA chairman Champion R. Sangma told IANS on phone.
Champion, who is hiding in Bangladesh, however, promised to release abducted traders soon.
The
GNLA has been demanding for withdrawal of central forces - two units of
Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) commandos and five
companies of Border Security Force (BSF) troopers - ever since the
troops were deployed in Garo Hills area in July.
Meanwhile, security forces intensified their operation in the region to rescue the abducted trio.
"The search operation is on," Inspector General of Police (Western Range) G.H.P. Raju told IANS.
CoBRA and Meghalaya's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos have been pressed into service to trace the hostages.
The GNLA earlier had sent extortion demands of Rs.50 lakh to Boro through mobile text messages.
Over
20 people, including security personnel, have been killed while more
than 10 people were abducted for ransom in the area in the last one year
by GNLA rebels.
Champion, who claims to be fighting for a
separate Garoland, has been camping in Bangladesh for several months in
search of support.
The outfit has also forged an alliance with the Bangladesh-based rebel group, A'chik Special Dragon Party.
The GNLA has over 100 rebels, including a few women cadres, operating in three impoverished districts of western Meghalaya.
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