ITANAGAR: Three coal miners from Assam’s Tinsukia district were reportedly abducted in the early hours of February 18 from an illegal coal mine in Phinbiro village, situated in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.
The abducted miners have been identified as Gyan Thapa, Lekhak Bora, and Chandan Narzary.
Changlang Superintendent of Police, K Padu, told a local daily on Monday that a joint effort involving Arunachal Pradesh and Assam Police, alongside the special task force and the Assam Rifles, is currently underway to trace the missing miners.
However, the SP refrained from confirming the involvement of insurgent groups NSCN (K-YA) and ULFA (I) in the abduction, stating, “We cannot say with confirmation as yet.”
This incident echoes previous cases of abductions by insurgent groups in the region.
Earlier on March 26, 2022, a minor was abducted by two other minors believed to be affiliated with the NSCN (IM).
A joint operation by the Changlang police, the 18 Garhwal Rifles, and Assam Police resulted in the successful rescue of the minor the following day.
On April 1, 2019, Kashyap Boruah, an employee of Udipta Energy Oil Company, was kidnapped from Innao in Diyun circle of Changlang district.
The perpetrators were reportedly associated with the Arunachal Pradesh Deprived People’s Front, led by Nake Chakma.
Similarly, on December 21, 2020, two employees of Quippo Oil and Gas Infra Ltd’s drilling site in Kumchaikha near Innao were abducted by the United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) or ULFA (I).
Fortunately, they were released in April 2021.
In another incident in April 2020, a businessman from Kharsang in Changlang district fell victim to kidnapping for ransom by suspected members of the Eastern Naga National Government.
However, he was rescued by a combined effort of police and security forces.
The latest abduction of the coal miners underscores the persistent challenges posed by insurgent groups in the region and highlights the urgent need for robust security measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of local residents.
