TURA: West Garo Hills police have busted a kidnappers gang involving former GNLA militants and recovered ransom money paid for a victim who hailed from Tura after a series of search operations in Romba-Adinggre in Chinabat area of West Garo Hills on Wednesday.
The success story of the police has been thanks to the quick thinking of two villagers who alerted police after witnessing the abduction on Tuesday morning.
Three among the seven arrested men have been identified to be former members of the banned GNLA outfit and a sum of Rs 3,26,500 taken as ransom money from the family of the victim have been recovered from the hands of the kidnappers.
Standing out among the gang members identified is Rakseng Ch Marak alias Geloram (33) of Rongsak who was once a hardened militant of the GNLA who had surrendered to authorities.
The victim, Krishna Saha, hailing from Dobasipara locality of Tura used to ferry passengers and goods to village markets.
On that fateful day he was returning from Chinabat in his pik up truck when he got waylaid by the armed men. As the gang was taking Saha away, two villagers passing through the area witnessed the kidnapping. Mustering courage they rushed to Rongram police station and alerted authorities of the incident.
Police swung into action and began a series of raids in the area during which time one of the suspects identified as Probitdro A Sangma (35 years) came before police to inform that he was one of the abducted persons who had been left off in Rongsak area. He is a resident of ITI complex area in Tura.
Suspecting him of a deliberate attempt to mislead the search teams, police began interrogating him and he soon confessed to his involvement. He finally led police to the place where the money and arms were stashed and also revealed the names of the other gang members.
Police raided several places including Dakopgre and Wadanang locality of Tura, Rongsak in East Garo Hills and apprehended all seven accused men.
“We received credible source inputs that the victim was released on 24th June upon payment of ransom and we intensified counter insurgency operations. With constant efforts, sincerity, hard work, dedication and perseverance our police teams were successful in arresting all those involved in the abduction and extortion,” informed West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police MGR Kumar.
From the kidnappers possession they confiscated a carbine machine gun, 3 chinese pistols with four magazines containing around 40 rounds of ammunition, 2 hand grenades, mobile phones and a wire codex used for IED explosives.
“Kudos to West Garo Hills police teams for their effort and a big thank you to the alert good Samaritans who gave valuable inputs in this case,” a happy West Garo Hills district police chief MGR Kumar commented.
The other accused have been identified as Dipet Ch Marak (30) from Najing bazaar (Tura), Pillington Ch Marak alias Rakcheng of Jingamgre Samanda, Dunia K Sangma (30) of upper Babupara (Tura), Prewin R Sangma alias Walnang (35) of Budugre Chokpot currently residing in Wadanang Tura, and Bandi Ch Sangma from Asibra (Tura).