Nine traders abducted in Meghalaya

Nine traders hailing from Mancachar area of Assam were abducted by armed militants in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya early today, police said.

The traders who were going to a weekly market were taken at gun point from a forested area near Bilkona today, the police said.

Superintendent of police Anand Mishra said the abductors were suspected to be from the Achik Songa An'pachakgipa Kotok (ASAK) group.

A search operation has been launched to rescue the victims, he said.