Rly construction works hit as NLFT ultras abduct 8 workers

AGARTALA, April 10 ? The ongoing railway construction works in Tripura once again suffered a major blow when suspected NLFT militants abducted eight employees from a construction camp near Manu in Dhalai district. Sources said, the incident happened at around 5.30 pm on April 8 last when the workers had just returned to their camps at Jarulcherra. A group of 10 to 12 armed NLFT militants attired in olive green fatigues reached the Jarulcherra camp and asked the workers to come out of the camp. The militants at gun point took away with them the eight workers. Among the abducted persons, six were labourers and had come from outside the State. The abducted workers are Shankar Acharya, camp in charge, Ashoke Khamani, site in-charge, Amin Ali, Sabar Ali, Shahjada Ali, Mayal Ali, Lulu Mian and Jainul Abedin (all labourers). Senior police officers rushed to the spot Tuesday morning to assess the situation. Though a massive combing operation has been launched by the security personnel in the adjoining villages, none has yet been arrested in this connection. Unconfirmed sources said, the workers belonged to a Guwhahati-based construction firm. It may be mentioned here that, this is the third major incident when the NLFT abducted workers engaged in railway construction works. On earlier occasions, NLFT militants abducted 20 workers from Sindhukumarpara near Ambasa in two separate incidents last year. However all the hostages except one were released after they had paid a huge ransom. One worker died in captivity. Meanwhile, the construction works has come to a grinding halt following the news of abduction of the workers.