SHILLONG: East Garo Hills police have so far arrested nine persons in connection with the abduction and murder of a Rongsak-based trader — Bharat Singh Shekhawat.
The five AMEF cadres had kidnapped the trader from Rongsak on October 21. Subsequently, they killed him on the same day.
Just to a escape murder charge and to fool police, the five AMEF cadres — Baykam Ch. Marak , Bikash Sangma, Raksim Ch. Momin, Minseng N Marak and Sengchang N Sangma (22) – surrendered before Baghmara police.
Suspecting a foul play, police arrested all the surrendered cadres of the AMEF.
It may be mentioned that the decomposed body of Bharatsing Shekhawat was recovered from a jungle at Chrupagre (25 Kms from Williamnagar Police Station).
Acting on the lead provided by the arrested cadres, police arrested four more persons and they are Jinon Ch. Momin , Jam Ch. Marak , Grikbirth Ch. Momin and Mikhal Ch. Momin from Bolwaregre village in East Garo Hills.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore for the release of Shekhawat, who hailed from Rajasthan.
A relative of the victim contacted police two days after the kidnapping incident.
The militants had set October 21 as the deadline for the relatives of Shekhawat to pay the ransom and ultimately he was killed despite the fact that family of Shekhawat paid Rs 16 lakh to the abductors.
