Karbi rebel groups on massive extortion drive in Bokajan

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

BOKAJAN, April 22: Crime and insurgency have been order of the day in Karbi Anglong and despite the sustained counter insurgency operations, the newly cropped up militant outfits continue to pose a serious threat to life of the common men in the district.

Extortion has turned into a thriving business in the hill district for some way wards to spin money using terror tactics and exhibiting the cause for demand of a separate state comprising the two hill districts—Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.

In Balipathar area of Bokajan sub-division, several business man and government employees were served with a demand note of 50 thousand each by the Karbi tiol Liberation Army (KNLA) and those uble to pay the amount are subjected to sleepless nights and in a constant fear of being kidpped.

The demand notes are served in an ordiry paper other than the outfit’s notepad and the chances of some roughs using this tactic for sake of easy money cannot be ruled out.

In a similar incident, a bar cum restaurant owner in the Lahorijan area of Assam-galand interstate border was served a demand note seeking Rs 3 lakhs on behalf of Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) on Wednesday. However, the Khatkhati Police, in a major crack down, laid trap and successfully tracked two youths—Rakesh Ingti (23) and Ken Terang (25) while the duo came to fetch the exacting amount today.

Insurgency has also adversely affected the development of the district compared to rest of the state as every other development project is escorted by an extortion note which is to be paid before the set up commences. While the answers are elusive, the bitter facts remain.