Shillong: At least six MLAs of the ruling
Congress in Meghalaya have received an sms from a militant
outfit warning them against operations against them.
"Are you betraying the Garos? Retreat or face the
consequences ? GNLA," the sms, sent from a Bangladesh number
880-1927197749 said.
Among those who received the sms were Rural
Development Minister FW Momin, Civil Defence Minister
Augustine Marak and four MLAs of the Garo community.
East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi said that FW Momin, who is currently in New Delhi, called him
up to inform about the sms threat.
The police have been instructed to take action, he
said.
Two additional PSOs have been deployed at Momin's
residence, while more securitymen were expected to be given to
him once he returned from Delhi, the police said.
A senior police official said the GNLA, a nascent
militant group floated by a dismissed superintendent of
Meghalaya Police Champion Sangma, was under pressure after
stepped-up operations and surrender of twenty rebels last
Wednesday.
The GNLA is the most active militant group in
Meghalaya at present and has been blamed for extortion in the
Garo hills belt.
On April 6, the group had gunned down five coal
labourers in South Garo Hills district. A few days ago, there
were reports of firing on trucks by the militants in the coal
belt areas of West Khasi Hills district.
The outfit, claiming to be fighting for an independent
Garoland, has also carried out kidnappings over the last
couple of months and slapped extortion demands on traders.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 30, 2011, 14:42