Rio urges Gogoi for safe release of two Naga hostages

Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT) militants kidnapped two Nagas along with some labourers from a power project site in Karbi Anglong district.

Kelesel Kikhi and Khroviho Kikhi from Viswema village under Kohima district were sub-contractors of the firm which was executing the hydro-electric power project.

In a communique, Rio informed Gogoi that despite the efforts from Naga civil society organizations, there had been no headway in securing the safe release of the two Nagas. He said the matter was likely have "repercussions" especially in the border areas of the two neighbouring states.

Stating that until now the whereabouts of the two abductees were not known, the chief minister said that the abduction had created "much apprehension and tension" in the border areas.

Pointing out that the family members of the two Nagas were going through untold worries and anxiety, Rio stated that the two were also the sole breadwinners of their families which included wives and young children.

Leaders of several Naga civil society bodies and tribal councils accompanied by Viswema villagers recently met their Karbi counterparts at Diphu and urged them to pursue the abductors to release the two Nagas on humanitarian ground.

Senior Congress MLA K V Pusa yesterday wrote to Rio to take the abduction case with his Assam counterpart for safe release of the two persons from his village.