No trace of abducted NHPC official

The two motorcycles used in the abduction of a National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) official last month have been seized but there is no trace of the victim yet, Assam Police said Saturday.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A.P. Raut said: "Our operations have been on but unfortunately we are yet to rescue the abducted official. We have arrested some people and recovered the motorcycles used in the crime."

Anil Kumar Agarwal, general manager of 800 MW hydro-power project in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, was abducted Sep 21 by four motorcycle-borne armed men, from near Bhalukpong area along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border when he was coming from Tawang to Tezpur, police said.

Raut said: "So far we have carried out operations along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border only but we are going to shift the operations more towards Arunachal Pradesh from today."

"We have received some clues but the terrain in Arunachal Pradesh is very difficult and inclement weather has also hampered the operations. The abductors have also been shifting their location frequently," he said.

Raut refuted reports of ransom demand set by the abductors.

Police suspect the role of anti-talks faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland led by I.K. Songbijit in abduction.