Six employees of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) abducted on March 31 by Manipur’s Hmar People’s Convention-Democrats (HPC-D) militants were released unconditionally by their captors, Mizoram Home Minister Tawnluia said. No ransom was paid to the abductors, who had kept the six in the jungle for 74 days, Tawnluia said.

HPC-D had earlier demanded Rs. one crore ransom for the release of six. 'In a letter sent to HPC-D chief Lalhmingthanga Sanate I had clearly asked him to release the captives unconditionally and if there is any issue on which I have to negotiate, I am ready to do it after their release', the minister said.

Thorough medical check up would be conducted on the released NEEPCO officials who reached Silchar at about 1.15 pm, he said. The State Government would organise a reception for the released employees, he added. T. Liansiama, one of the NEEPCO negotiators and also a cousin of one of the kidnapped persons said from Silchar that the employees — S. Dhar, Robert Lalsanga, Ratan Roy, Nipen Nath, Lalrinkima, D. Mandal — were released unconditionally by the ultras.