BSF rescues abducted coal exporter

A coal exporter abducted by a tribal Garo rebel outfit has been rescued by troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Meghalaya's South Garo Hills region, an officer said Thursday.

"Janking Marak was rescued Wednesday night from the clutches of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels near the India-Bangladesh border under Gausapara border outpost," BSF spokesperson Mahendra Singh said.

The coal exporter was rescued after the BSF troopers challenged four GNLA rebels while they were attempting to cross over to Bangladesh. The rebels fled the area leaving behind the exporter, who was blindfolded.

On Nov 10, heavily armed GNLA rebels abducted Marak from his residence in South Garo Hills region.

Meanwhile, police are still clueless about the whereabouts of another coal exporter, Gopal Sharma, and three traders abducted by suspected GNLA rebels.

A police spokesperson said a search operation is still on to rescue the abducted people.

In the past one year, GNLA rebels, who number around 100, unleashed terror in three impoverished districts of Garo Hills, killing over 50 people, including security personnel.

The outfit had slapped extortion demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on petrol pump owners, coal dealers and businessmen in the coal-rich districts of Garo Hills.