SHILLONG, July 2 ? Kidnapped Indian Forest Service official D Sathyen was released unharmed at Meghalaya's South Garo Hills district last night after about a fortnight amidst claims by the State government that no ransom had been paid to the abductors for his release. Sathyen, who is in-charge of Balpakram National Park, was escorted back to the Divisional Forest Officer's office at Baghmara in South Garo Hills district at 10.30 pm last night by some Forest officials, Pricipal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) V K Nautiyal said.
Sathyen was found to be in a healthy condition, he said but did not elaborate on the official's release. Sathyen's family members in Kerala have been informed of his release and he would visit them soon, he said. His wife Rekha, an employee of State Bank of Travancore at Kochi, had appealed to the abductors through e-mail to free him, saying her family would not be able to pay the ransom demanded for his release.
Rekha had also sent a representation to Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony, who had written to the Centre to take expeditious steps to get Sathyen released. Director General of Police L Sailo told PTI here: "I do not think any ransom was paid for Sathyen's release."
He said despite the Achik National Volunteers' Council disclaimer, it was believed that the banned outfit was "very much responsible". Asked if the Centre and Kerala government had exerted pressure for the IFS official's release, he said they were in constant touch with the authorities here.
Nautiyal too said no money was paid to the abductors and Sathyen was perhaps taken hostage by some of the ANVC cadres without the concurrence of the outfit's leadership. The PCCF said a lot of pressure was put on the abductors through the local people, church leaders and social groups for the release of Sathyen, whom he lauded as an efficient officer doing a ''good job'' staying at Baghmara risking his life when his colleagues were operating from Tura.