TURA, AUG 12: Garo hills is reeling under twin trouble of indefinite bank strike and closure of the petrol pumps after the killing of a workers by unidentified gunman on Tuesday morning even as the militants who kidnapped State Bank of India (SBI) official Subodh Kumar Misra made a fresh demand of Rs 50 lakhs for his release on Tuesday.
All banking institution in Garo hills joined the SBI to denounce kidnapping of Mishra, who was abducted at gunpoint from Gasuapara in South Garo hills on August 5.
The abductors made fresh call on Tuesday demanding Rs. 50 lakh for Mishra’s release.
SBI bank employees from 41 branches of Garo hills took to the street as the protest march denouncing Mishra’s kidnapping began from Chandmari SBI regional office and passed through the main through fare of the town. All other banks operating in the region took part in the march.
“The indefinite strike of SBI branches in Garo hills will continue. All banks and ATMs will remain shut. Other banks have also shown solidarity to our strike, they will also continue their indefinite strike”, said Nixon Joseph, assistant general manager (Garo hills division).
Banks officials carried placards during the march that read, “We don’t need guns and bombs to bring peace”, “calling for unity and peace for better Garo hills”, “We demand safe release of Subodh Kumar Mishra”, “Let this not be repeated, make Garo hills peaceful” and “We are here to serve you, help us to help you.”
A bank officials told this website that Rs. 5 lakh was paid to the abductors on Saturday for Mishra’s release. However, they are yet to release him. The abductors had demanded for Rs. 1 crore as ransom, which has been reduced to Rs. 10 lakh earlier.
The official now revealed that the abductors made a call on Tuesday demanding Rs. 50 lakh. He said, “They (abductors) have not allowed the family and bank officials to speak to Mishra so far.”
South Garo hills SP Lakador Syiem said that the police are yet to trace the whereabouts of Mishra. He said, “Our rescue operation is still on.”
Commenting on the abduction, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said, “The abduction of SBI employee is a demonstration of their (militants) frustration. They want to destabilize the state machinery.”
A resident of Tura complained that normal life has become miserable in Garo hills as the residents cannot travel because all petrol pumps are close in protest of the killing of a petrol pump worker Bittu Patel on Tuesday and neither the residents are able to withdraw money from ATMs because of the banks strike.- From Our Correspondent
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