Kochi: He is the assistant general manager of State Bank of India in charge of 41 branches in five districts in Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Hailing from Aluva near Kochi, Nixon Joseph is a worried man today as one of his clerical assistants, Subodh Kumar Mishra, was abducted by militants there who are now demanding Rs 15 lakh for his release.
Bihar native Subodh, working at Gasuapara branch in Garo Hills, was abducted by seven hooded militants on August 5 while he was on his way home, about 20 km away. “They initially demanded Rs 50 lakh as ransom but have now climbed down to Rs 15 lakh. It is very difficult to locate the militants as they are holed up in dense forests. The police too are putting in all their efforts, but have not been able to track them so far,” said Nixon over phone.
All 400 staff in the 41 branches including Nixon are now afraid that the same fate could befall them. “There are 22 militant groups in Meghalaya now. Their agitation started with the demand for a separate state, but now the groups are more interested in extracting ransom from hapless citizens like public sector employees. When four or five of them come together, they form a militant gang,” said Nixon.
It was in June last that the branch manager of SBI in a Garo Hill branch, Aravind Kumar from Bihar, was abducted by a militant group. But the police succeeded in freeing him. The latest incident has created waves of panic.
“Subodh’s wife back home is expecting a baby. His father and brother have landed in Garo Hills now. On Saturday, his brother spoke to him and said he was safe. But his release is still unsure”, said Nixon.
The staff of SBI at Garo Hills is now planning an indefinite agitation demanding a safe working environment or placement in safe places. They held a peace march seeking Subodh's unconditional release and safe working conditions, on Saturday.
