Staff Reporter
PUMAO, 7 Feb: A week has passed and there is still no clue regarding the whereabouts of the two labourers who were kidnapped by operatives allegedly belonging to the NSCN (K-YA) on 31 January from Pumao circle of Longding district.
Hiren Konch (31) from Assam and Ramashis Mahato (35) from Bihar, both excavator drivers, are still in the captivity of the underground outfit.
Police suspect that the captives were taken towards Zahsia village in Mon district of Nagaland.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the NSCN (K-YA) has demanded a ransom of Rs 4 crores for the duo’s release.
Longding DSP B Tangjang on Monday informed that hectic parleys are underway to secure their release.
“We are also in touch with the families of both Hiren Konch and Ramashis Mahato, and we are keeping them updated about every development,” he informed.
On the night of 31 January, suspected NSCN (K-YA) operatives kidnapped the duo along with one Banphua Wangpan of Longding while they were engaged in the PMGSY road construction work between Longkhaw and Pumao villages in Longding district.
Wangpan was released the next day and has since returned to his native village Longkhaw.
