Shillong: Petrol depot owners, including
a former Inspector General of Police have been slapped with
extortion demands of Rs 30 lakh each by a nascent militant
group in Meghalaya.
Police said Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has
served the extortion notes to a number of petrol pump owners
in South and East Garo Hills districts over the past few days.
Among the depot owners is the former IG of Meghalaya who owns
a franchise of an Assam-based oil company.
Depots of Indian Oil Corporation, Assam Oil Division
and Hindustan Petroleum have also been sent the notices.
"We have heard about it (the extortion demands). But
no one has come forward to tell us," DGP S B Kakati told PTI.
Police are verifying the information. Operations have
been launched in the areas to nab the militants," Kakati said.
The notes, signed by GNLA 'finance secretary' have
asked the pump owners to give the money by March 13 or face
consequences. "No negotiation will be entertained thereafter.
Thoughtless act will lead to serious consequences," said a
extortion note, a copy of which is available with agency.
Earlier, the police had said GNLA has served several
extortion notes demanding Rs five lakh to Rs one crore from
coal merchants and prominent businessmen in the two districts.
The group had kidnapped a chieftain in January and
demanded Rs one crore for his release. He is still untraced.
GNLA, formed in 2007 by surrendered or deserted cadres
of Achik National Volunteers Council, is yet to declare its
ideology and demands.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 18:04