Arunachal Pradesh: Armed Group Kidnaps Construction Workers Over Extortion Dispute

ITANAGAR: In a distressing incident, two construction labourers, Shashank Yadav and Lemgaw Gowam, fell victim to an abduction carried out by armed members of the banned NSCN (K-YA) in Longding district. The incident unfolded at a makeshift camp near Tisa river, where the labourers were working on a Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) project. The kidnapping reportedly occurred after the contractor rejected extortion demands from the outlawed group.

The victims, identified as Shashank Yadav from Uttar Pradesh and Lemgaw Gowam from Nginu village in Tirap district, were forcefully taken by three armed cadres who broke into the camp at 4 am. The abductors transported the labourers to Kunno zero point using a pickup truck, later abandoning the vehicle at the Kunsa-Pongchau road. Subsequently, the armed cadres allegedly moved towards the India-Myanmar border.

This incident follows a disturbing pattern in the region, as the NSCN-KYA has been actively involved in kidnapping contractors and labourers working for construction companies, often demanding ransom for their release. The outlawed group's notoriety in Longding district has instilled fear among locals, with frequent cases of such criminal activities.

Promptly responding to the situation, the local police, led by Longding SP Tumme Amo and supported by the Assam Rifles, initiated a large-scale search and combing operation across Longding. The joint effort aims to trace and rescue the abducted labourers, providing hope for their safe return to their families.

The alarming trend of such incidents underscores the challenges faced by construction projects in the region, with criminal organizations exploiting economic activities for extortion. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the military highlights the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to curb the activities of such outlawed groups and ensure the safety of workers engaged in vital projects.

As the search operation intensifies, the community awaits updates on the fate of Shashank Yadav and Lemgaw Gowam, hoping for a swift resolution to this distressing episode in Longding district.

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