GUWAHATI: Notwithstanding the joint operation carried out by the Army and police, the whereabouts of the abducted son of a businessman and BJP politician in Assam has remained unknown since his was abducted by suspected militants belonging to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) four days back.
Arunav Phukon, son of Dilip Phukon a businessman and a BJP leader from Jagun in Tinsukia district of eastern Assam, was abducted by suspected ULFA (I) militants on December 15 from Khandu Basti under Joyrampur Police Station of Changlang district of Aruanachal Pradesh. His vehicle was later recovered by the police.
The ULFA(I) militants called up the father of the abducted person on Monday to inform that Arunav was in the outfit’s custody in its Myanmar base.
A high-level police source here informed that operation was on in coordination with Arunachal Pradesh police and the Army to trace the abducted person. The official said senior police officials were camping in Tinsukia to supervise the operation.
The official, however, did not confirm whether the ULFA (I) militants had demanded any ransom for the release of the abducted person or not while drawn to reports being circulated in local media here claim that the ULFA9I) has demanded Rs two crore for release of Arunav Phukon.
The police official said the thick forest that existed along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary areas provided a safe sanctuary to insurgents vis-a-vis security forces operating against them. The ultras hiding in the forest area get ample time to flee once security forces make foray into the forest area.
The southern Arunachal Pradesh areas comprising Tirap, Changland and Longding districts have been infested with militants belonging to the ULFA(I) and Naga rebel groups who have base in Myanmar just across the international boundary