SANKHUWASABHA: Police today released Pawan Bajgain, an activist of district chapter of the Nepal Red Cross Society, from Saunekhola area in the district. Bajgain, a resident of Khandbari Municipality-11, was abducted by a group of persons who identified themselves as Limbuwan cadres, on Tuesday night.

The group of five persons had also abducted local journalist Anish Bista of Kharang-8 along with Bajgain. However, Bista had managed to give the abductors the slip and fled after eight hours. He is a reporter of local Makalu Sandesh weekly.

Deputy Superintendent of Police in the district, Poshraj Pokharel, informed that a police team deployed from Tumlingtar rescued Bajgain today afternoon. The abductors fled the scene and disappeared into a nearby forest leaving Bajgain after the police team reached the site.

The two were abducted from the way while they were heading towards Sharada Secondary School located at Kharang VDC to take part in a programme organised by Junior Red Cross Circle there. The abduction came to limelight only after Bista came to contact of local Red Cross activists after he walked free from the captivity.

According to Bista, they spent the night without food. He informed that the abductors did not furnish any motive behind their abduction. Both Bista and Bajgain are under police security now.

According to Bajgain, the police timely reached the venue otherwise the abductors were planning to take him to Tehrathum district. Separate police teams from Mudhesanischare, Kharang, Tumlingtar and Leguwa of Sankhuwasabha and Dhankuta districts were deployed to rescue the duo.

However, there has been no word from any Limbuwan outfits over the incident.

District chapter of Nepal Red Cross Society, different human rights organisations, Barun Campus and journalists in the district condemned the incident.