Police recover extorted money

Aizawl, Jul 22 (UNI) Darlawn police yesterday recovered Rs 3,60,000, extorted from Darlawn Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) B Suanzalanga, from an agent of the banned Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) (HPCD) underground group.

Police sources said Darlawn Mizo National Front Unit Secretary Lalnghakliana had been held in this connection.

The HPC(D) was forcibly collecting ''donations'' from people and government servants in Sakawrdai area, under Darlawn police station recently, including the extortion from the Darlawn DFO. They said that the Forest official had instructed the Suangpuilawn RO to hand over Rs 3,60,000 to the militants at the appointed place, Sakawrdai, near Mizoram-Manipur border but the RO entrusted the MNF worker to do the job in his place.

Sources added that police were also puzzled by the fact that the forest official neither informed his superior nor reported the police about the extortion note he received.

UNI