Ransom demanded for release of BRTF hostages

AIZAWL Almost a week after two employees of Border Road Task Force (BRTF) were abducted from Mizoram-Bangladesh border, a ransom has been demanded for their release, police said today.

The abductors informed the BRTF officials posted in Mizoram-Bangladesh border's West Phaileng village that they would have to pay ransom for the release of the two hostages, they said.

The culprits, however did not mention the amount to be paid, police said.

Hokum Singh of Haryana and Mohammed Buizul Islam of Aizawl were abducted by suspected Bru Democratic Front of Mizoram (BDFM) goons and NLFT militants combine on Monday from Mizoram-Bangladesh border's Mamit district.

The armed abductors escaped and have kept the captives inside Bangladesh since then, police said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Home minister R Lalzirliana warned that the state government might take strong action against the abductors if they continue to keep the abductees in captivity for long.

"The government would take action to ensure that no abductions take place again in Mizoram soil," Lalzirliana said.

He said that the Bru goons were working under the protection of the NLFT and even used arms of the Tripura insurgent outfit while abducting people.