TURA: Suspected GNLA cadres kidnapped nine traders from Assam near Chokpot in South Garo Hills early on Thursday morning.
The traders, all from Mankachar town in Assam’s South Salmara district, were on their way to Silkigre weekly market, which is around 14 km from Chokpot town, in three pick-up vans when a group of suspected GNLA militants armed with rifles and pistols stopped the last vehicle near Songotagre village around 5.30am on Thursday.
Police found the abandoned vehicle near the village. “Our teams are already on the job and a search operation has been launched. We are hopeful of a breakthrough on the matter. We suspect the kidnapping to be the handiwork of the GNLA,” said South Garo Hills SP Anand Mishra.
However, some reports said the number of abductees is 12 and not nine. The reports also said two among the abducted traders escaped during the melee.
The police said of the nine traders, six have been identified as Akhirul Islam (21) and Saiful Islam (30) of Shantipur, Jiarul Islam (28) of Bortol and Monirul Islam (30), Mofidul Islam (25) and Anowar Islam (35) of Kushimara.
Security forces, along with SF-10 commandoes and SWAT units, have started combing operations in the Chokpot area.
