Itanagar, Sep 27: Two workers — one a site supervisor — were allegedly abducted on Friday evening from an under‑construction school in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, police said on Sunday, prompting joint search operations by state and central security forces.
Incident and immediate response
The incident occurred at about 8 pm on Friday at the construction site of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) in Barap village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Lazu Police Station, close to the India‑Myanmar border, Tirap Superintendent of Police Aditya Singh said.
“A case has been registered at Lazu Police Station, and a detailed investigation is underway,” the SP said.
According to the SP, three armed underground cadres entered the site and removed a labourer and the site supervisor. As of Sunday, there was no confirmed information on the duo’s whereabouts or safety.
Security mobilisation
Following the report, the Arunachal Pradesh Police launched search-and-rescue operations in the area. The state police are working alongside units of the Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to comb the surrounding terrain for signs of the missing men and to gather intelligence on the attackers.
Authorities said the exact circumstances of the abduction — including how the militants approached the site, whether there was any forcible entry or a brief skirmish, and the attackers’ identity or group affiliation — are yet to be independently established. Investigators are treating the episode as a high‑priority case given the proximity to the international border and the involvement of armed cadres.
Local context and challenges
Tirap district, located in the south‑eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, shares a sensitive frontier with Myanmar. Security agencies routinely patrol the border belt, but the rugged terrain and dense forest cover pose persistent challenges for surveillance and rapid response. The presence of insurgent and armed groups in parts of the north‑east has historically kept security forces on alert for cross‑border incursions and kidnappings.
Local residents and construction personnel at remote project sites are considered vulnerable during night hours, when visibility and movement are restricted. The abduction from a school construction site underscores concerns about the safety of development workers and the need for coordinated security arrangements for projects near sensitive frontiers.
What authorities are doing
- Police action: A formal case has been registered at Lazu Police Station and a detailed probe has begun.
- Joint operations: Arunachal Pradesh Police, Assam Rifles and CRPF have launched combined search‑and‑rescue missions in the region.
- Intelligence gathering: Teams are working to establish the identity, motive and affiliation of the armed men involved.
Senior police officials have not disclosed further operational details to avoid compromising the ongoing search. Investigative teams are conducting witness interviews, examining the construction site for clues and coordinating with neighbouring formations for surveillance inputs.
Implications and next steps
The case will be monitored closely by both local administration and security agencies due to its border implications. Recovery of the abducted persons and the safe return of the workers are the immediate priorities. The police have not indicated whether any ransom demand or communication has been received.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | VKV construction site, Barap village (Lazu PS), Tirap district |
| Time of incident | About 8 pm on Friday |
| Victims | Two workers (one site supervisor, one labourer) |
| Suspects | Three unidentified armed militants |
| Agencies involved | Arunachal Pradesh Police, Assam Rifles, CRPF |
Officials have appealed to anyone with information about the abduction or movements near Barap village to contact the Lazu Police Station to assist the ongoing probe. The police reiterated that operational updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
The investigation remains active and authorities warned against speculation until conclusive evidence is established. Further statements are expected from security officials once verification of leads and the status of the missing men is available.
