Even as the security forces have intensified their operation to rescue Pune-based senior forest officer Vilas Bardekar, the rebels of outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland are said to have demanded hefty amount of extortion to release him.
Disclosing that militants are changing the whereabouts of those in their captivity, security sources said that at least three other businessmen of Rangapara area of Sonitpur districts are also captive into the hands of NDFB rebels who are reported to have been taking shelter in reserve forest areas being treated as “liberated zone by Bodo rebels”.
Claiming that Mr Bardekar, joint director (administration), directorate of social forestry of Maharshtra was safe, security sources said that militants have started negotiating for the extortion.
Refusing to divulge more details in this regard, the security sources keeping close watch over the development however admitted that the area where militants involved in abduction are holed up is difficult for police operations.
The area from where the forest official was abducted is notorious for NDFB activities that extend from the foothills of Bhalukpong to Balemu along the Indo-Bhutan border.