Shillong, Aug. 31 : Two Virgo Cement plant officials, who were abducted from Damas in East Garo Hills on August 21, were released by the abductors last night in Assam.
Meghalaya acting director-general of police B. Kezo today said the Ulfa-supported nascent militant group, Rabha Viper Army, released the plant’s staff manager, Sambhu Dhanuka, and chief engineer P.K. Hore at Rongjuli in Assam’s Goalpara district on Saturday night.
The officials were abducted from a place between Damas and Damra, bordering Goalpara.
Four militants, who came on bikes, waylaid the vehicle in which the officials were travelling and asked the driver, N. Rabha, to get out. They then hijacked the vehicle and drove towards a jungle inside East Garo Hills. The abandoned car was later recovered from Miapara village near Rongdoma, 5km from Damas.
The driver reported the matter to Dudhnoi police in Assam.
Kezo said after a thorough investigation, it was found that Ulfa was indirectly involved in the abduction as the Rabha Viper Army, formed with the support of the outfit, did the spadework.
According to the DGP, both Ulfa and the Rabha Viper Army share the booty.
There are reports from the Virgo cement company sources that no ransom was paid to the militants for the safe release of the staff.
The Meghalaya DGP, however, indicated that ransom was paid for the release of the officials.
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