A major abduction incident has triggered alarm in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district after a businessman and a local Panchayat member were allegedly kidnapped by militants belonging to the NSCN-K (Angmai) faction. Both men were reportedly taken across the India–Myanmar border, deepening fears in a region already grappling with insurgent activity.
The abducted individuals have been identified as Vijay Shankar Aggarwal, a well-known businessman, and B. Lamati, an elected Panchayat representative. According to sources, the pair had travelled to the Lazu area last week to hand over ransom money in connection with an extortion demand issued to Aggarwal the previous month.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn when militants allegedly intercepted and abducted them instead of releasing the businessman following the payment. The victims were then transported into Myanmar territory through one of the porous border routes that insurgent groups frequently exploit.
Police have registered a case and launched a multi-agency search operation, with security forces attempting to track the escape route and verify intelligence inputs to determine the location of the abducted men. Officials said efforts are underway to coordinate with various units to secure their safe return.
Tirap district, situated in a sensitive border belt, has seen repeated incidents of extortion, kidnapping and insurgent movement over the years. The latest abduction has renewed concerns about security vulnerabilities and the increasing audacity of militant outfits operating in the area.
The investigation remains ongoing.
