Asom traders kidnapped in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 22: Suspected Bru militants, active in Tripura- Mizoram border, kidnapped two Silchar (South Asom) based businessmen in Bhairabi area of Mizoram along NH 154 last evening.

Police sources said here today following the information from its Asom counterpart, Mizoram police launched a massive manhunt aganist the militants and has been conducting search in the villages of Western Mizoram bordering Tripura since last night, but nobody is arrested so far.

On the other, a joint team of Asom police and CRPF personnel has since been scouring the jungles in the area to trace the kidnapped but the hilly terrain was a hindrance, sources stated.

According to information, Mohanlal Daga (52) and Tezkiran Borodia (56) were travelling by car to Bairabi when they were waylaid and taken hostage.

''The kidnappers had made calls for ransom to both families, but they declined to reveal the amount of money they demanded'', said Hailakandi deputy superintendent of police D K Saha.

Meanwhile, Assam Rifles jawans apprehended a Myanmarese immigrant identified as Robika Aka Biakluaia (45) from Aizawl last night along with an unlicensed England-made .22 rifle.

He is suspected to be a middle-man in an arms racket.

UNI