Two workers abducted by Naga militants 'recovered' after 12 days: Longding SP
Itanagar, Feb 13: Two of the three road construction workers abducted by suspected NSCN (K-YA) militants from Pumao in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh have been 'recovered' from a forest area under Pongsau circle of the district bordering Nagaland on Saturday night, a police official said on Sunday. Police, however, declined to disclose whether there was any exchange of money for their 'release'.
Three workers engaged in the construction of Longkhaw-Pumao road under PMGSY, namely, Banphua Wangpan (29), Hiren Konch (31) and Ramasish Mahato (35) were abducted by a group of 5-6 militants of NSCN (K-YA) from the labour camp located at the construction site on January 31 night and taken towards Nagaland, police had said.
However, Wangpan, a native of Longkhaw village of Longding district, has returned a day later after being released by his abductors in the jungle of Jahsia Nayasa village in the adjacent Mon district of Nagaland. Since then, the whereabouts of JCB drivers Hiren Konch, a resident of neighbouring Assam and Ramasish Mahato from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal was not known.
Wangpan is said to be a relative of self-styled Lt Col of the UG group, Botai Wangsu. "That must have been the reason for his release," a police officer had said.
"After tremendous efforts, Longding police has achieved success in recovery of two abductees in the recent Pumao kidnapping case," Longding SP Vikram Harimohan Meena said, while adding that they were recovered from a remote forest area under Pongsau circle of Longding district bordering Nagaland.
"They are visibly in good health and have proceeded for medical checkup," the SP added.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Police Headquarters here said that there might have been "some negotiation" between the Naga militant group and the road construction agency for 'safe' release of their employees. He, however, did not share much detail.
"The outfit had earlier demanded ransom from the contractor who refused to pay after which they kidnapped the construction workers," Longding DySP Banghang Tangjang had said.