ULFA kidnaps Assam BJP leader's son, demands Rs 1 crore in ransom video

Guwahati: Members of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam Independent (ULFA-I) released a video on Monday demanding Rs 1 crore as ransom for the release of the kidnapped son of an Assam BJP leader.

Kuldeep Moran, who is the son of Tinsukia district panchayat's vice president Ratnaswer Moran, was abducted by NSCN (K) from Arunachal Pradesh on August 1.

Security source suspect that Kuldeep could be involved in the plot and that NSCN (K) had handed him over to ULFA(I) rebels asking them to extort whatever money they can from his father.

ULFA(I) rebels used WhatsApp to send the video to both Moran and the media. Security sources said that releasing the video of a person in their captivity to the media was aimed at creating panic among people.

Security sources claim ULFA(I) rebels came to know about the connection of Kuldeep’s father with BJP MLA Bolen Chetia and that is why they are demanding such a hefty amount.

However, Chetia who could not be contacted is said to have ignored the extortion demand of ULFA(I) rebels who tried to contact him. Finding themselves in a tight-spot, the Kuldeep's family has expressed inability in paying the extortion demand.

In the video, Moran’s son is surrounded by five armed masked men and the footage seems to have been shot in a forest area.

“I have been abducted by ULFA-I and they are taking me to different places blindfolded. I have become very weak and my health has also deteriorated. I am afraid I might die in cross-firing,” Kuldeep reportedly says in the video.

In the video, he pleads to his parents and also Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to help secure his release.

Security sources said that ULFA(I) rebels have asked members to make their presence felt by resorting to various terror activities. Security sources said that sending video of an abducted person to local media houses was a pre-planned and conscious decision of the outfit.