By IANS,
Shillong : Suspected Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) rebels killed five migrant coal miners and injured one before dawn Wednesday in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district, police said.
The miners, whose identity are yet to be established, were killed at Goka coal dumping area, 475 km from here. The injured miner has been identified as Rakib Miya.
No militant group has claimed responsibility. Intelligence agencies suspect the involvement of GNLA, a rebel group headed by police officer-turned-rogue, Champion R. Sangma.
“These attacks are aimed at creating fear and to extort money,” an intelligence official said.
The GNLA had earlier slapped demands ranging from Rs.5 lakh to Rs.1 crore on petrol station owners, coal dealers and businessmen in the coal rich districts of Garo Hills.
The GNLA is fighting for a sovereign ‘Garoland’ in western Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, former Meghalaya police official turned-politician Akhil Hajong, kidnapped for a ransom of Rs.20 lakh by GNLA, was freed unharmed Monday night at Ruga Bazar in South Garo Hills, police said.