TURA: The eight Assam-based traders who were kidnapped by ASAK rebels in South Garo Hills were freed unharmed early on Wednesday morning.
Police said the rebels left the traders at Gondanggre hanging bridge, 8 km from Chokpot, but added that they were yet to confirm whether ransom was paid to the kidnappers. The rebel group had demanded Rs 20 lakh for the release of the traders but later reduced the amount.
The bridge where the traders, all hailing from Assam’s Mankachar town, were released is less than 10km from Silkigre village. Nine traders were captivated on September 29 when they were on their way to Silkigre. One of them, 50-year-old Saher Ali, escaped the same night.
Of the eight traders, six were identified as Akhirul Islam (21), Saiful Islam (30), Jiarul Islam (28), Monirul Islam (30), Mofidul Islam (25) and Anowar Islam (35). After their release on Wednesday morning, they walked to the nearest road connecting Silkigre and Chokpot and boarded a passing vehicle en route Tura from where they left for Assam.
South Garo Hills police had launched multiple raids at different parts of Chokpot but failed to make a breakthrough. In the last three days, they had taken into custody six suspected collaborators of the outfit and were on the lookout for one of the conspirators from Kenrangre village who had been absconding since the abduction last week.
