Tura, Nov. 3: The block development officer of Chokpot, Jude Rangku T. Sangma, was released by the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) today at Allagre village near Chokpot in South Garo Hills district.
Jude, 32, reached home in the Nazing Bazaar area of Tura around 5am.
Allagre is about 60km from Tura in West Garo Hills. It is about 90km from Baghmara, the district headquarters of South Garo Hills.
Jude, a Meghalaya civil service officer, was abducted on Tuesday and released exactly a week later. He was kidnapped while he was on his way to Tura - after attending a funeral of a relative at Deku Deganggre - from Chokpot where he is posted for the last two years.
His father Tengjing R. Marak and mother Konika T. Sangma spoke to The Telegraph and narrated the turn of events following the abduction of their son. They said Jude is in good health.
Tengjing showed a picture of his son today on his mobile phone when asked for an audience with Jude.
"He is too tired after walking for eight hours through hills and is now sleeping. He spoke to us and had something to eat," said Tengjing, Asked whether the BDO told them about the ordeal, Konika said: "Our son was given food but he could not take proper rest. We thank Almighty that our son came home safe and sound."
Tengjing said the GNLA did not seek ransom for Jude's release.
"Two days after the abduction that took place on October 27, we received a call from GNLA's 'western area commander' Heido C. Momin who told us not to worry and allowed us to speak to our son."
Heido addressed Tengjing as mama (uncle).
Tengjing said the militant had spoken to him very politely and assured that their son would be released after they sorted out misunderstandings with him.
The GNLA claimed that Jude had told chief minister Mukul Sangma that Rs 40 crore, meant for blacktopping of Chokpot road, was taken away by the outfit and the situation was not conducive to initiate development works.
Jude's parents said the first information about the abduction came from Jude's relatives who came to know that he was abducted which was posted on Facebook by the GNLA. The outfit uses the social media to spread its messages.
Yesterday, Heido called Tengjing and informed that their son would be released.
Asked whether they would appeal to the militants to shun violence, Tengjing said: "Right now we are not in a proper state of mind. We pray for everyone to be in peace and believe in the Almighty."
In a release issued by the GNLA today, Heido, alias Karak, said: "We found nothing against the BDO and decided to release him."
In the past four years, the GNLA and other militant groups have abducted many government officials, teachers and traders. The list includes former district transport officer of East Garo Hills, Robinus Syngkon, who is now a legislator and senior Meghalaya civil service officer P.K. Boro.
In June this year, militants of the A'chik Songna An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) abducted district transport officer of South Garo Hills, A.N. Sharma, who was released in August allegedly after the family had paid ransom.
Last week, the bodies of central intelligence officer Vikash Kumar Singh and trader Kamal Saha, murdered allegedly by ASAK rebels, were found at Bolchugre village near Baghmara in South Garo Hills.
In the last six months, at least 30 people were abducted and a few killed in several parts of Garo hills.
