Police sources said, "They were travelling from Lumding to Maibong when they were picked up by a group of militants from an area which is about 60 km from Haflong. The incident took place around 11.45 pm. We have launched a massive search operation. We suspect the Dima Halem Daogah-Jewel (DHD-J) militant outfit to be behind the incident."
Already, three companies engaged in construction of a highway are finding it difficult to execute the work. Major contractors are considering withdrawing from the project.
Last week, Mr Gogoi held a security review meeting in the district with the army, police and other security agencies.
Meanwhile, a major tragedy was averted when a powerful bomb was recovered from a bus in lower Assam's Nalbari district. An improvised explosive devise (IED) was kept in a bag. One person was picked up for interrogation.