AIZAWL: Five Mizo labourers kidnapped by suspected National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) have been released and will hopefully reach Aizawl by Thursday, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalthanhawla informed the state assembly here on Wednesday.
Lalthanhawla said that not a single paisa was given to the kidnappers to secure the release of the hostages who have been in captivity in Bangladesh jungles for more than a month.
“We don’t and will never allow militants to kidnap our people to raise money. If such incident happens, we will rescue them with our police forces,” he said.
State Home Minister R Lalzirliana had informed the House a few days back that “the kidnappers have become more worried than us”.
This statement, according to the chief minister, has been proven to be true by the release of the hostages.
“We have already informed the Union home ministry that we would send our police to Bangladesh to rescue the hostages. The kidnappers knew very well that we meant business, so they dared not hold their hostages any longer,” he added.
The labourers, while working in Dampa Tiger Reserve under Mamit police station near the Bangladesh border, were kidnapped on February 19.
Mamit district Superintendent of Police R D Chawngthu confirmed that they had been informed of the release of the kidnapped persons.
“But, they would take seven to eight hours to reach the Mizoram border from the militants’ hideout,” he said. (UNI)
