Shillong:
Petrol depot owners, including a former Inspector General of Police have been slapped with extortion demands of Rs 30 lakh each by a nascent militant group in Meghalaya.
Police said Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has served the extortion notes to a number of petrol pump owners in South and East Garo Hills districts over the past few days.
Among the depot owners is the former Inspector General of Meghalaya who owns a franchise of an Assam-based oil company. Depots of Indian Oil Corporation, Assam Oil Division and Hindustan Petroleum have also been sent the notices.
"We have heard about it (the extortion demands). But no one has come forward to tell us," Director General of Police, S B Kakati said.
"Police are verifying the information. Operations have been launched in the areas to nab the militants," Kakati said.
The notes, signed by GNLA 'finance secretary' have asked the pump owners to give the money by March 13 or face consequences.
"No negotiation will be entertained thereafter.Thoughtless act will lead to serious consequences," said an extortion note.
Earlier, the police had said GNLA has served several extortion notes demanding Rs five lakh to Rs one crore from coal merchants and prominent businessmen in the two districts.
The group had kidnapped a chieftain in January and demanded Rs one crore for his release. He is still untraced. GNLA, formed in 2007 by surrendered or deserted cadres of Achik National Volunteers Council, is yet to declare its ideology and demands.
Police said Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has served the extortion notes to a number of petrol pump owners in South and East Garo Hills districts over the past few days.
Among the depot owners is the former Inspector General of Meghalaya who owns a franchise of an Assam-based oil company. Depots of Indian Oil Corporation, Assam Oil Division and Hindustan Petroleum have also been sent the notices.
"We have heard about it (the extortion demands). But no one has come forward to tell us," Director General of Police, S B Kakati said.
"Police are verifying the information. Operations have been launched in the areas to nab the militants," Kakati said.
The notes, signed by GNLA 'finance secretary' have asked the pump owners to give the money by March 13 or face consequences.
"No negotiation will be entertained thereafter.Thoughtless act will lead to serious consequences," said an extortion note.
Earlier, the police had said GNLA has served several extortion notes demanding Rs five lakh to Rs one crore from coal merchants and prominent businessmen in the two districts.
The group had kidnapped a chieftain in January and demanded Rs one crore for his release. He is still untraced. GNLA, formed in 2007 by surrendered or deserted cadres of Achik National Volunteers Council, is yet to declare its ideology and demands.
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