TURA, NOV 2: Ten abducted traders from Assam’s South Salmara – Mancachar were released today morning at Gasuapara in South Garo hills district of Meghalaya.
The traders were abducted from Bilkona weekly market on October 28.Bilkona lies along the India-Bangladesh border near Gasuapara, about 70km from Tura.
The traders were abducted between 7am and 8am, when a group of armed militants stopped their Mahindra pick-up trucks.
They were taken towards Angratoli reserve forest, 1km from Gasuapara.
The forest, dense and thick and known for wild elephants, is 5km from Bilkona weekly market. Last month in a similar incident, nine traders were abducted at gunpoint from Silkigre village, near Chokpot. These traders were later released after the traders’ families allegedly paid ransom.
Superintendent of police South Garo Hills Anand Mishra said, “Due to police pressure mounted upon the kidnappers, after five days of captivity all the ten victims were released unconditionally near the forest of Gasuapara”.
Mishra said that the condition of all the victims were fine. “After examination of the victims at Gasuapara police outpost the victims were escorted to their respective place”, Mishra added.
Police claim that due to heavy police offensive launched in South Garo Hills, along the India – Bangladesh border, the abductors were forced to release the victims.
The victims were released at around 1 am.
“The abductors showed them the path and asked the victims to go straight till they reach main road. The reached Gasuapara outpost around 7 am”, informed the SP.
Mishra informed that the traders were abducted led by Reding T. Sangma of Asak outfit. He ruled out any ransom being paid.
“Police teams were present in the general area where the victims were released. Victims being interrogated for further leads”, Mishra added.-From Our Correspondent
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