Kidnapped CPI(M) leader released by Mizo rebels

Silchar, Nov 04 (UNI) Suspected Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram (BLFM) rebels have released the abducted CPI (M) leader and gram panchayat vice president, Gokulmoni Nath (55), after ten days from their hideout in Mizoram, official sources said here today.

However, there was no trace of Aftab Uddin (12), who was also kidnapped at gunpoint along with Nath, on the night of October 26 from Kalamagura village near Ratabari in Karimganj district of south Asom, police said.

Police claimed that the Bru (Reang) ultras on Friday released the Communist leader without any ransom.

Sources said the kidnappers initially demanded Rs 5 lakh as ransom. However, they came down following constant bargain and negotiation with his family members.

The fate of Aftab, a student, was not known.

''I do not know what will happen to us as we can not pay anything if at all demanded for release'', said Abdur Rehim, father of Aftab.

The kidnapped persons were being shifted from one place to another in the thick jungles of Mizoram at regular intervals over the past ten days after a group of about 20 tribal militants, in camouflage dresses kidnapped them at gunpoint from his house at Kalamagura village, 130 km from here, sources said.

BLFM is an anti-talk splinter group of Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF). While BNLF surrendered arms before Mizoram government in 2004, about 800 BLFM militants laid down arms before the authorities only last week in Mizoram. However, villages of Asom, living along the areas bordering Mizoram, complain that the much-publicised surrender episode failed to help tame militancy in the areas. Reang militants continue with their extortion and kidnapping activities in Asom villages.

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