Meghalaya IAS officer attacked

A senior IAS official in Meghalaya had a narrow escape when unidentified militants attacked him, a police official said Friday.

Chinmay P. Gotmare, the district magistrate of South Garo Hills, was attacked Thursday night at Sibbari, bordering Bangladesh, Meghalaya police chief Peter Hanaman told IANS.

Gotmare's driver and bodyguard sustained bullet injuries and were admitted to a hospital, he added.

"The district police are still investigating to ascertain which (militant) group carried out the Thursday attack," he said, adding security personnel have been combing the area to nab the attackers.

This is the second attempt on Gotmare's life. Suspected Garo National Liberation Army militants had Jan 17 fired at his vehicle in Adugre, six km from Baghmara.

Gotmare has sought clarification from the government about scaling down his security cover.

"How come the so called 'dacoits' are so daring to directly shoot at my vehicle when it is conspicuous by the beacon and the name plate on it," he asked.