Former deputy chief minister and working president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Deborah Marak, had a narrow escape when heavily armed tribal Garo rebels fired in the air at a public meeting in her constituency in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, police said on Sunday.
"Heavily armed militants suspected to be those of the break-away-faction of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) came to the public function at a village under Williamnagar area, had an altercation with Marak and fired several rounds in the air last evening," district administrator Vijay Mantri told PTI.
He said, the reason behind their attack is yet to be ascertained.
The incident took place at around 4:30pm on Saturday evening when Marak was distributing prizes for a football tournament involving several teams from the constituency, police said.
Marak who did not take security cover, sustained injuries in her legs and knees while fleeing from the area. The breakaway faction of the militant organisation had threatened legislators in the Garo Hills region of dire consequences if they hold public meeting without their permission.
The leader of the breakaway faction of the ANVC today issued a stern warning to prospective candidates and sitting legislators of a free and fair declaration of the development projects and expenditures for the areas.
"Please pay heed to the given warnings and show some initiative before campaigning. It is time to show results. We are also interested to know the implementation of the Rs5 crore area development scheme of each MLAs, just to make sure public money is not being used for political campaigns," Rimpu Marak, the break-away leader said in a statement to the media.
Marak denied having received any extortion demands from the rebels. The ANVC which is fighting for a separate 'Achik land' for the Garo tribals, is under a tri-partite ceasefire agreement with the Centre and the state.
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