Shillong, Jan. 30: The hostage has returned, but his ordeal has exacted a heavy price from him physically and emotionally.
East Garo Hills district health and medical officer Prakash Bezbaruah, who was released yesterday at 12.30 pm by militants of the A?chik National Volunteers? Council (ANVC), is in poor health. He expressed his wish to spend more time with his family. He was abducted on December 19 while on his way home in Williamnagar.
A diabetic, Bezbaruah today said over phone, ?I am all right though physically and mentally I?m weak and I want to take rest.?
Speaking to The Telegraph he said he was ?treated well by the ANVC? and his stay was ?okay?. He broke his silence for the first time today and shared a little of his experiences.
He, however, did not want to discuss the days spent in captivity at this moment. ?Let us talk about it some other day,? Bezbaruah said, his voice breaking. He added that he was not sure where he had been kept but was regularly given food and medicines by his captors.
The doctor said he was not aware of the reasons that could have caused the delay in his release. He also did not comment on reports which claimed that a ransom of Rs 15 lakh was paid by his family members to secure his freedom. The medical officer said he has not decided whether he would ask the government to transfer him from Williamnagar to some other place.
Representatives of the Meghalaya Medical Services Association met the state?s leaders today and urged it to provide a security blanket to doctors and health officials working in the Garo Hills. They also thanked all those involved in ensuring the doctor?s release.
Association general secretary A. War said most doctors from the Garo Hills have agreed to go back to work in Williamnagar.