Shillong, Aug 8 (IANS): Rebels of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Tuesday gunned down a businessman from Assam and abducted another at gunpoint in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district, police said.

Nitai Saha, an Assam-based ginger trader was shot dead, while Upen Behari was abducted at gunpoint from weekly market at Rari area bordering Assam's Goalpara district, Inspector General of Police (Western Range) F.D. Sangma told IANS.

Police have launched a man-hunt to secure Behari's safe release, he said.

"Saha was gunned down at the market place after he refused to concede to their (GNLA) extortion demand," Sangma said.

The GNLA, which is headed by rogue police officer-turned rebel Champion R. Sangma, has unleashed a reign of terror in the three impoverished districts of Garo Hills in western Meghalaya. The GNLA chief was arrested recently and is in police custody.

More than 30 people, including security personnel, have been killed in Garo Hills by GNLA rebels.