Abducted customs officials released in Bangladesh territory

Shillong, May 13 (UNI) The two customs officials, abducted by suspected United Achik National Front (UANF) ultras, were found unharmed after their release inside Bangladesh territory today, police said.

Police told UNI from Tura that the two officials, Superintendent Dharani Bora and Inspector Mrinal Sharma, walked about 15 km to reach the Indian soil early this morning.

They were released at Haluaghat in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh in the early hours today and were spotted by a police patrol at Baburambill in the West Garo Hills district at around 0530 hrs.

Both the officials were sent to their homes after a medical check-up.

The two had been abducted by heavily armed ultras on April 26 from near Gasupara in the West Garo Hills district, about 400 km from here. They were on way to Asom from their base in Gasupara when the abduction took place.

Even though police earlier said that the officials were possibly abducted for ransom, they denied any possibility of paying money to the outfit behind their safe release.

Pressure from the government, local police, the Border Security Force (BSF), exporters and the ministry might have forced the outfit to release them, said the sources.

Following the abduction, the customs employees had suspended trading activities in the Land Customs Stations in Meghalaya demanding their safe release.

UNI SG KK VD HT1924