111.   Diplomats here said this was the first time the tribes had demanded a ransom, leading to fears the kidnapping may have purely criminal motives.

112.   The Press Trust of India news agency said it was the first time that militants were demanding ransom for a political kidnapping in Kashmir.

113.   The popular weekly Shukan Bunshun reported that Aoki told hostages, including Peru-based Japanese business executives, that the rebels were demanding a ransom.

114.   The sources quoted by the BBC did not say whether a ransom had been demanded.

115.   The ransom has been demanded as compensation for the alleged wounding of two of their tribe by police during the shootout.

116.   They brought to four the number of people held by the group, which demands a ransom for its hostages.

117.   They have also staged kidnappings of local officials to demand ransoms.

118.   They have denied the MRTA has demanded a ransom to secure the release of their staff.

119.   Their captors demanded a ransom of three million dollars.

120.   There was no immediate word on the fate of the hostage-taker, who had demanded a ransom of one million dollars.