Guwahati:
It's been a month since two locomotive pilots of the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railways were abducted by Bodo militants in Assam. All police and military operations have so far failed to not only ensure their rescue but to restrain the outfit's activities.
And their family members are helpless. Deadline for paying ransom has expired but they are hoping against hope.
"Every four to five days they call asking for money and every 10-12 days they let me speak to my husband. That is all," said Sabita Singh Phukan, wife of one of the abducted pilots.
On the morning of August 29, Bodo militants from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) launched a dramatic attack on a moving goods train carrying foodgrain from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh.
Locopilot A Singh Phukon and his assistant N C Borgohain were taken hostage. The demand was for a crore and half but negotiations are still going on.
"There is fear all over. The staff is scared and without security drivers are not moving out, so rail communication is totally disrupted," said A K Mishra, ADME, Northern Frontier Railways.
Ever since NDFB's anti-talk faction broke away from the ceasefire agreement this area along Assam Arunachal Pradesh border has reported an alarming rate of abductions.
In 2010 alone more than 30 persons were taken hostage against ransom; at least 10 are still in their custody.
Fresh threats have been issued by NDFB against railway staff. There is fear and panic amongst everyone there and now with announcement of Bihar elections security forces are being pulled out including Railway Protection force. The concern that was expected from the government is just not visible on the ground.