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 organisations, there had been no headway in securing the safe release of the two Nagas. He said the matter was likely to 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.

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 persuade the abductors to release the two Nagas on humanitarian ground.

Meanwhile, Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO) expressed dismay that the KPLT had failed to release the two abducted Tenyimi brothers.

Reminding that Tenyimi and Karbis have been living as good neighbours since time immemorial and would continue to do so, the TPO said that the abduction should not be allowed to vitiate the peaceful co-existence of the two neighbours. – PTI