TURA, JUNE 26: The four Assam based small time traders were rescued by the police after a fierce gun-battle lasting about fifteen minutes with the Assam based United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) killing one of the militants in the hideout out at Darekgre, near Rongmasugre on Thursday.
The slain ULFA militant has been identified as Dharma Kanta Rai, popularly known to the GNLA as “Garo champa”. West Garo hills SP Mukesh Singh informed, “Rai was an IED expert and was used by the outfit to target police movement. He was very much involved in the different abduction cases, which having been taking place for the last few months in plain belt area of Garo hills.”
The traders identified as Gulu, Shah Alam, Azgar Ali and Atwar Ali all from Kaimbathapara village under Phulbari police station were kidnapped on Wednesday from Kantanagre village at around 9:30 am at gunpoint on Wednesday.
West Garo hills SP Mukesh Singh said the police had credible inputs about the abductors and intensified operation on Thursday from 6:30 am and managed to zero down the hideout out at Darekgre, near Rongmasugre village and rescued the traders at around 9:30 am. He said, “Two sentries of the militants saw the police movement and fired first and the police retaliated.”
Singh informed that in the exchange of fire lasting for 15 minutes, one ULFA militants was killed while the others managed to escape leaving behind the four abducted traders.
Singh informed that at least nine militants of ULFA and GNLA held the four traders captive at Darekgre village. He said, “We are yet to confirm in whose house they were sheltered”, said Singh. However unconfirmed reports say that they were taking shelter in the house of village headman of Darekgre village.
Singh, however, said “We are waiting for the team to return and give us details about the operation. They have recovered pistols, ammunitions, AKs, incriminating documents etc.”
Police suspects that the abduction was planned under the command of a GNLA top brass – Kimpret, who is the area commander of Dadenggre.
IGP (operations) GHP Raju said, “GNLA and ULFA have been on a kidnapping spree from Dadenggre, Phulbari and Tikrikilla area and have been sharing their loot. ULFA is taking the support of GNLA in this area for shelter, finance raising, etc. He also informed that their group comprised of six GNLA and three ULFA cadres.- From Our Correspondent
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