SHILLONG: In a daring operation, Special Investigation Team (SIT) of East Khasi Hills Police under the direct command and direction of SP City Vivek Syiem rescued an abducted victim unharmed after 41 days of captivity.
Digbijoy Das was abducted from Shillong on February 4 and later a ransom amount of Rs 2 crore was asked from the family of Das for his safe release.
Realizing the immediate need to save the victim, the Special Cell of SP’s Office was also made a part of the SIT and from the beginning, top priority was given for the safety of the victim and all efforts were made to ensure that no harm came to him.
Finally, SIT was able to rescue the victim unharmed from Gaspara Simola, Amsui under Nagaon District (Assam) on Thursday morning at around 3am from a secluded hut.
Police also arrested five members of the gang identified as Rashendra Paul (39) of Jail Road , Shillong, Tapas Paul (21), of Jamunamukh, Nagaon, Pradeep Das (29) of Senshua, Nagaon, Tarender Das (38) of Amsui, Nagaon and Bhutka Das (30) of Amsui, Nagaon.
Police recovered three Mobile phones, eight Sim Cards, one .32 Pistol, two Rounds of .32 ammunition; Chains to cuff the victim and four Daos from their possession.
It may be mentioned that the Police acted and investigated into the matter based on the FIR received from Ramanuj Das of Bishop Cotton Road and Digbijoy Das was working as an agent in one of the insurance companies.
East Khasi Hills SP M Kharkrang told media persons that the success of the operation was based on a few important factors like the sincerity, dedication, hard work, patience of the SIT where they had to painstakingly and cautiously trace the accused persons and at the same time ensure that kidnappers do not suspect that the relatives had approached police and the use of technology and human intelligence collection.
Rashendra Paul of Shillong was the mastermind of the gang and earlier too he was arrested in several cases of burglary.
Victim Digbijoy Das while speaking to media persons recollected the horrible experience saying that the abductors were planning to eliminate him on Thursday probably but he is thankful the SIT raided the house in the nick of time.
“I was hearing them as they were saying that I have to be killed since police was closing on them,” he said even as he said that he was physically tortured and beaten and kept handcuffed.
The family members of the victim were full of appreciation for the East Khasi Hills police who took their heart out to save the victim from the clutches of the abductors.