Abducted SBI official freed in Meghalaya

Shillong: Officials have confirmed that a State Bank of India (SBI) official, kidnapped by Garo militants in Meghalaya 16 days ago, was released unharmed today, after his family paid a ransom. Subodh Kumar Mishra, a bank assistant at SBI’s Gasuapara branch, bordering Bangladesh in South Garo Hills district, was abducted by A’chik Songna An’pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) militants on 5th August from Barengapara road, about 400 km from here. “He (Mishra) has been released unharmed by his captors in Dalu-Gasuapara road. He is in Dalu police station,” Lakador Syiem, the district police chief, told IANS. Mishra, who is from Bihar, rang up his father informing him that he was freed by his captors. Intelligence officials have confirmed that Mishra was released unharmed after negotiations on the ransom amount. “We don’t know yet, the exact ransom that was paid to the militants by Mishra’s family, but, a substantial amount was paid to them,” an intelligence official said on the condition of anonymity. The ASAK, which means “vanguards of Garoland”, is one of nine Garo rebel groups operating in western Meghalaya, had demanded a ransom of a crore Rupees for the safe release of Mishra. The Garo militant outfit is fighting for a separate Garoland out of Meghalaya. IANS