Hyderabad, Guwahati:
Abduction by militants is now routine in Assam, P Krishna Rao, an engineer from Andhra Pradesh who was abducted last month by militants of the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), was released on Tuesday morning.
National Highway 31 is Assam's abduction zone. On an average a person gets abducted every two months. They are generally released after paying ransom.
On the October 16, P Krishna Rao, a Project Manager with a construction firm, Gayatri ECI, was taken hostage in Assam's Kokrajhar District.
Far away in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna District, Rao's family was relieved after the news of his release came in.
"We didn't celebrate Deepavali this year, we want to celebrate now," said Rajeswari, wife.
"I am very happy and eagerly waiting to see him," said Karthik, son.
Rao's release was secured after payment made to the militants. Safety ensured, the engineer has now decided to stay on and work.
"I have to carry on working, I just can't leave my job. Children's education and the family has to be taken care of," said P Krishna Rao, Project Manager, Gayatri ECI.
Rao is the fourth person from the same firm abducted and released in the last one year. At least two hundred of his staff have left in fear.
The project is already delayed by two years. Held hostage by just a breakaway faction of a militant outfit which was in talks with the government till a year ago.