TURA, Sept 29 - About nine traders, mostly from the town of Mankachar in South Salmara district of Assam, were allegedly kidnapped by a group of armed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) cadres near Songotagre village under the Chokpot PS in South Garo Hills today. The incident occurred around 5:30 am in the area, located about 55 km from here.
Unconfirmed reports said that two among the kidnapped traders were able to escape from the clutches of their abductors. Six of the nine kidnapped have been identified as driver Akhirul Islam (21) of Shantipur, Saiful Islam (30) of Shantipur, Jiarul Islam (28) of Bortol, Monirul Islam (30) of Kushimara, Mofidul Islam (25) of Kushimara and Anowar Islam (35) of Kushimara.
According to preliminary information, the traders were going in a Mahindra pickup van to the weekly bazaar at Silkigre when they were whisked away by gun-toting militants. The vehicle was later recovered from near the spot.
