Kidnapped SBI official in Meghalaya still untraced

The whereabouts of a State Bank of India (SBI) official kidnapped by militants eight days ago are still not known, while 42 SBI branches across the state remained shut demanding his release, an official said Wednesday.

On Aug 6, heavily armed militants abducted SBI Gasuapara branch bank assistant Subodh Kumar Mishra from Barengapara road, about 400 km from Meghalaya capital Shillong.

"We don't know the whereabouts of Mishra...," Meghalaya Police chief Peter Hanaman told IANS.

Bank officials said the abductors had demanded Rs.1 crore as ransom for Mishra's safe release.

"On Saturday, Mishra's family members had paid Rs.5 lakh to the abductors, but they demanded another Rs.5 lakh," a bank official said on condition of anonymity.

On the other hand, 42 SBI branches in the five districts of Garo Hills remained close Wednesday to press for Mishra's safe release.

"All the SBI branches in the five districts of Garo hills will continue to remain shut indefinitely until Mishra's safe release," Biman B. Bhattacharya, the deputy general secretary of SBI Staff Association, Shillong module said.

He also said a decision to close down all SBI branches in the Northeast in the next few days is also likely to be taken if Mishra is not released.