Abduction of tea labourers by Naga UGs creates border tension

EMN DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 11 IT has been reported that suspected UGs from Nagaland abducted four persons working in a private owned tea plantation at Selenghat area bordering Nagaland this morning. Sources said alleged unauthorised aggression in land area under Nagaland by a private tea planter from Jorhat, who failed to keep his bargain despite several warnings, has led to the abduction of the planter’s men for ransom.The four persons namely Dijen Gowala, Dumo Garh, Moina Baishya and Amar Praja belong to the tea community and are residents of Rankham gaon under Selenghat police station of Jorhat district in Assam. Due to this unfortunate incident, tension is mounting up in this border belt from noon today. The All Assam Tea Tribes’ Student Association (AATTSA) has demanded that the authority immediately get the hostages released from the abductors without any harm and ransom. They also threatened to go on agitation from tomorrow if they are not released by this evening. Till filing of this report, some negotiations are reported to be on but hostages have not been released as yet. It is, therefore, advisable to travellers from Nagaland not to use roads passing through Assam till situation improves.