Four members of three prominent NGOs from the Rari area absconded yesterday after they were apprehended and questioned by the police over their role in extortion of money from a scrap truck near the outpost of Rari under Bajengdoba Police Station in North Garo Hills.
Interestingly while two of the accused were former members of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) who were out on bail while another member that is now being hunted by the police is a primary teacher in a local school.
The four persons who were allegedly involved in the extortion and assault of the truck driver have been identified as Robust Marak (of Mendal and a teacher), Sylvanish G Momin from Gokul (ex GNLA), Washing Sangma (Mendal another ex GNLA) and Affu Marak of Rari Ronggopgre.
As per the FIR filed by one Jakra N. Sangma from Dadenggre under West Garo Hills, the incident took place at about 7:45 PM on April 23.
The scrap loaded truck (AS 01 LC 5714) in question was on its way from Dadenggre and was stopped near between Gokol and Rari on the NH – 51 in North Garo Hills by the four persons in the name of three prominent NGOs. The scrap truck mainly consisted of plastic water bottles and liquor bottles.
The FIR mentioned that the four then demanded an amount of Rs 1000 for each NGO from the truck driver. When the driver, Rafikul Islam and handyman Ariful Islam insisted they had no money to give them, the four accused then physically assaulted the two persons in the vehicle.
They then proceeded to rob the two of an amount of Rs 900. The FIR further mentioned that two cars were used by the NGOs (WB 02 2414) while the other was too far away to be properly identified.
When a verbal complaint was given by to the police by the vehicle owner on April 23, the police immediately acted and apprehended the four persons involved in the incident.
The vehicle they used has also been seized. However due to the lack of an FIR further action was not possible leading to the members being let off in the afternoon yesterday.
Last evening however an FIR was filed by the complainant mentioned above following which a police team sought to arrest the four persons. However they managed to escape arrest and are currently absconding.
“An investigation into the matter is currently on and we are making all efforts to nab the four people involved in the crime,” said Abraham T. Sangma, Superintending of Police, North Garo Hills.
