Assam: 2 kidnapped forest officials released

Diphu: Chief Conservator of Forest Abhijit Rabha and Range Officer Ranjan Barua, who were abducted by KPLT militants, have been released near a highway at Bokolia in Assam's Karbi Anglong district.

Police said Rabha and Barua were released by the abductors late on Monday night and they were rescued by the police officers of Bokolia police station.

Both of them were taken to a hospital in Diphu for treatment. Rabha is suffering from diabetes.

Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger (KPLT) militants were behind the abduction of the two forest officers.

Assam government on Monday said that Karbi Peoples Liberation Tiger (KPLT) militants were behind the abduction of the two forest officers. They were missing for the past four days.

Rabha's mother Dipali and Barua's wife Herumai had appealed to the abductors for release of the two officials on humanitarian grounds.

The abductors had reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore but details of whether they were released after payment of ransom amount is unclear.

The two officers were kidnapped on March 3 when they were returning from Sighasan Hills where they had gone with a 60-member delegation, including some Japanese botanists to conduct a forest department survey.

The delegates returned safely but the officials were abducted.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)