TURA, March 25 - The driver of a bus, Nikhil Talukdar, along with his two associates, were released today by their captors, almost 12 days after being abducted. Talukdar, along with bus conductor Gurmit Koch and handyman Hojoi Koch, were kidnapped from near Boldamgre village under the Purakhasia outpost and a demand of Rs 50 lakh was made for their release.
Their kidnapping, allegedly by a group of six armed miscreants, had led to a huge outcry by the Garo Hills Motor Workers� Union (GHMWU), with the union even threatening to call off all public vehicles from the roads if the trio was not released within three days. The GHMWU had sought the intervention of the State Government for their release.
Talukdar and his colleagues were released somewhere near Garobadha village, from where they made the trip back home. A close member of Talukdar�s family denied any ransom being paid for the release of the trio.
The SP of South West Garo Hills district, Ramesh Singh confirmed the release of the trio, although police teams were sent to confirm the details. �The three were released today and have reached their homes. The kidnappers have been identified and we are looking for the group. Hopefully, there will be a breakthrough in the case soon,� said Singh.
The police had identified militants linked to ASAK behind the kidnapping.
