Assam Rifles in coordination with Myanmar security forces rescued four villagers from Manipur’s Ukhrul district, who were reportedly abducted by NSCN-K from the Indo-Myanmar border.

Confirming the news, Assam Rifles on its Twitter handle said the villagers, who are residents of Tusom village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, were abducted by militants on March 25.

The villagers were taken to Konkailon in Myanmar and on March 31, they were safely rescued by Assam Rifles troops with the help of Myanmar security forces in Somra, Assam Rifles informed.

“Coordinated efforts of #AssamRifles & Myanmar Security Forces in Somra tract resulted in the safe release of four abducted villagers of Tusom village(Ukhrul) on 31 Mar. The villagers were kidnapped by insurgent group on 25 Mar & were forcibly taken to Konkailon(Myanmar),” Assam Rifles tweeted.

The rescued people have been identified as 24-year-old VS Thumlan of New Tusom village, 32-year-old NK Thanreimi of Chingai village, 47-year-old RS Pamshang and 35-year-old R Keinan of Poi village.

According to media reports, the rescued villagers are wood cutters and they were abducted while working in the forest areas of Tusom village under Jessami police station in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.

New Tusom village secretary Agarso earlier informed that suspected NSCN (K) cadres, armed with weapons, had abducted the four innocent civilians while working inside the Indian territory between international border Pillar No 128 and 129 at around 11.30 am on March 25.

The village secretary also informed that in March 2020, the NSCN(K) militants kidnapped two persons from the same forest for ransom.

He revealed that the two abducted persons were later released only after payment of Rs 4.30 lakh.