GUWAHATI, June 8 – Despite Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s tall claims of peace having returned to the State, kidnappings in Assam seem to be witnessing a rising trend since he took over on May 2001. The latest kidnapping of a senior Minister’s son in the State has come as a big blow to the Chief Minister’s claims. There are also indications that extortion by militants is rampant across the State. Security sources revealed here today that since the Congress came to power in 2001, the incidences of kidnappings have increased steadily over the years. Thus, 82 people were abducted in 2001. In 2002, the figure rose to 97, climbing further up to 175 in 2003. So far, this year, 22 cases of kidnapping have already been reported in the State. The kidnappings, almost all carried out by militant groups, target people who have the ability to pay the huge amounts of ransom demanded.
According to the sources, the kidnapping of Nirmalendu was executed by the ULFA to extract a huge amount of money from the Langthasas, known to be among the richest families in North Cachar Hills district. The money demanded by the outfit is Rs 3 crore. Veterinary Minister GC Langthasa and his family have been prime targets for militants of various hues of the past several years. Just a few months ago one of his sons was shot dead by Hmar militants in broad daylight. After that, his youngest son Nirmalendu Langthasa was kidnapped by the ultras on April 27 when he went to Baithalangso to negotiate with ULFA militants. Nirmalendu was sent to strike a deal with the militants after his father was served an extortion notice, sources said. There is still no trace of the Minister’s son though the police are combing the area.
It was only on May 25, when the Langthasas approached the police for help, that the kidnapping became public even though some rumours were already doing the rounds. Even then, it was assumed that Nirmalendu was kidnapped by one of the militant groups claiming to represent one of the hill tribes in the twin hill districts. The Langthasa family, of course, knew better. The ULFA came out openly claiming responsibility on May 31.
While its main intention is to extort money from Langthasa, the ULFA has made a “politically correct” demand to release seven of its top leaders whose whereabouts remain a mystery since the launch of military operations against the Assam militants by the Bhutanese Army in December last year.
Meanwhile, the UPDS today joined the chorus of appeals from several quarters to the ULFA to release Nirmalendu. The UPDS, which was initially suspected to be behind the kidnapping, has said that the son should not be victimized for the political affiliations of his father.