Arunachal: NSCN (K) militants hold contractor, PRI leader captive in Tirap

Dibrugarh: A contractor and a PRI leader remained in captivity for the fifth consecutive day after allegedly being held by NSCN (K) militants in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district.

Vijay Shankar Agarwal, a Rajasthan-based contractor engaged in road construction projects, and PRI leader Bamnye Lammaty were taken captive after attempting to negotiate with the militant outfit, which had demanded Rs 2 crore from Agarwal.

The incident highlights the persistent extortion crisis affecting Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, where contractors, businessmen, workers, and local leaders routinely face kidnapping threats from various militant groups.

Victims are typically released after ransom payments, though officials rarely confirm such transactions.

"Today marks the fifth day since Vijay Shankar Agarwal and PRI leader Bamnye Lammaty were first held in captivity by the militants. We have not received any communication from the captors during these five days," said a construction firm manager on condition of anonymity.

Local authorities have yet to issue an official statement on rescue efforts or negotiations with the militants.

The prolonged silence from the captors has added to the anxiety of the families and associates of the two men.

Sources said extortion has now become a business for the militants in the TLC region of Arunachal Pradesh.

"Most of the kidnappings occur during this season. The militants kidnap businessmen and contractors to extort money from the company or from the government. In short, they are running a parallel government in the region. The militant outfit, like NSCN (KYA) is mostly active in the region and, from time to time, is desperately engaging in such activities. On the other hand, the police and the security personnel remain mute spectators," said a source.

Some local residents have boycotted the militants in certain villages, but the groups continue their activities.