Silsuri headmaster kidnapped

Aizawl, Oct 6 (UNI) A middle-school headmaster in western Mizoram was kidnapped by some unidentified gunmen from his house, police said today.

Six men in army fatigues and armed with AK 47 rifles and revolvers kidnapped Kishore Rongya Chakma from his home in western Mizoram's Mamit area yesterday, police added.

The kidnappers demanded Rs 4 lakh as ransom, to be paid before sunset of October 7, Mamit SDPO Ralkapzauva said over phone.

While police have maintained that the kidnappers were not underground militants, but an armed gang of Chakmas, a source stated that they were members of Bangla-based Chakma underground outfit, United Democratic Liberation Front, operating across the border. Mamit SP, the SDPO and police OC of the neighbouring Marpara have rushed to Silsuri village near the Indo-Bangla border even as Chakma leaders are reportedly negotiating with the kidnappers.

The kidnappers demanded that the ransom money be delivered at a place called Marlui in Bangladesh side before Tuesday sunset failing which they will kill the hostage, police said.

UNI ZS PC RR ND1928