The abductors, by using the mobile phone of one captive, told the latter's relatives at Patharkandi in Assam's Karimganj district last night, that they had reduced the amount of the ransom to ensure that the relatives together could pay the same.
The abductors, belonging to militant outfit NLFT and cadres of the Bru Democratic Front of Mizoram, also threatened the relatives that the ransom should be paid this month itself, otherwise it would be the responsibility of the relatives if anything happened to the hostages, the officials said.