Armed militants today kidnapped a school teacher in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district, the police said.
The teacher, Maliram Rabha, was kidnapped from his home by three militants and his whereabout was yet to be ascertained, they said.
The kidnappers identified themselves as belonging to the Achik Matgrik Tiger Force (AMTF) outfit, but the police refuted the claims saying they have proof that the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) had committed the crime.
"We were informed of the kidnapping and a man hunt has been launched to rescue the school teacher," district SP J F K Marak told PTI, holding GNLA area commander Philliport responsible for the kidnapping.
The area commander and few other armed cadres of the GNLA were seen by locals near the jungles of Damas Matchkol yesterday, the SP said.
"We think they are in the look out for a large ransom. The closure of coal mining in the area has dealt a huge blow to the militant outfits and they have turned desperate to earn through kidnappings and ransom," Marak said.
According to the police, the AMTF is a bogus group being used by the GNLA members to kidnap and extort.
There is no AMTF. The GNLA is using this bogus group to continue with their activities as they do not want to tarnish their image, Marak said.
Earlier this year, a primary school teacher, S Sangma, was kidnapped but released on the same day, after widespread protests from all sections in the Garo Hills region.
Police are trying to verify if there was any ransom money demanded from the family members of Rabha.
