Minister's kin among 5 killed in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, July 1 ? A son of a Meghalaya minister and four others were killed in an ambush by suspected Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) militants in Belguri in West Garo Hills district bordering Assam, last evening. Police sources in West Garo Hills district headquarters Tura said, 11 persons, including Jyoti Rava (son of Forest Minister Monindra Rava) were proceeding to Tikrikilla from Lakhipur in the district last night when the ultras struck. The extremists, who were apparently lying in wait, rained bullets on the Armada jeep, in which the victims were travelling, killing five and injuring four, two of them critically. The remaining two miraculously remained unhurt. Reports hinted that Jyoti was trying to negotiate with some ultras group who were believed to have abducted a local businessman Asnok Marak from the area a few days back. Police declined to comment to this saying they were yet to establish any evidence in this connection. They, however, suspect that the NDFB of Assam may have assisted the ANVC in yesterday?s operation. Police officials have rushed to the area and a coming operation was launched.