TURA: The three traders from Dalu who were kidnapped by a group of criminals on January 10 were released on Tuesday morning.
The traders were released near Telekali Reserve Forest close to Rongrikimgre in South Garo Hills after their families paid Rs 25,000 in ransom, police said.
The kidnappers had earlier demanded Rs 10 lakh.
The small-time traders – Tamal Dey (38) and Dulan Mahanta (36), both from Killapara locality, and Durga Pada Dutta (35) of Chaipani – were among the 11 men who were heading to the Jadugre weekly market in the district.
On the way, their vehicle was waylaid by eight armed men. Later, police had found out that the abductors used fake guns and that the group had links in Bangladesh. Eight other traders managed to escape.
Despite several police operations to nab the gang and rescue the victims no breakthrough could be made until the group released the captives.
The role of the rebel ASAK group also came to the fore as reports emerged about the kidnappers’ gang seeking the help of rebel commander Reding T. Sangma to aid in the negotiation for ransom with an assurance of a share of the loot.
