The ongoing railway construction works once again suffered a major blow when suspected NLFT militants abducted eight employees from a construction camp near Manu in Dhalai district. The incident happened when the workers had just returned to their camps at Jarulcherra . A group of 10-12 NLFT militants attired in olive green fatigues and equipped with AK series rifles reached the Jarulcherra camp and asked the workers to come out of the camp. Then the militants took away with them the eight workers at gunpoint.

Among eight abducted persons six were labourers and had come from outside the State. The abducted workers are Shankar Acharya , camp in charge , Ashoke Khamani , site incharge, Amin Ali, Sabar Ali, Shahjada Ali, Mayal Ali, Lalu Mian and Jainul Abedin. The police and TSR personnel had launched a search operation to secure the rescue the release of the abducted workers.

Paramilitary forces including Assam Rifles, BSF and CRPF had been alerted. The workers belonged to a Guwahati based construction firm. This is the third major incident where NLFT militants abducted workers engaged in railway construction works. On earlier occasions NLFT militants abducted twenty workers from Sindhukumarpara near Ambassa in two separate incidents last year.

However all the hostages were released after they had paid a huge ransom. Meanwhile, the construction work has come to a grinding halt following the news of abduction of the workers.
    
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