TURA: Police in West Garo Hills have rescued a 16 year old girl who was kidnapped from Assam by a criminal gang and held captive in the Rajabala region of the district.

The rescue operation took place on Monday morning in the Sakmal area of the plain belt region with Rajabala police busting the hideout where the victim was being held captive.

“Our Rajabala police received information given by Sukchor station of Assam about the kidnapping of a 16 year old minor girl from Ujonbatra in Assam and we launched search and rescue operations,” informed West Garo Hills superintendent of police MGR Kumar.

The kidnappers gang consisting of six criminals, including two from Garo Hills identified as Mojidur Rahman and Sher Ali of Nolbari-Phulbari, were soon identified and operations launched.

The gang’s hideout was soon located at Sakmal, between Rajabala and Hallidayganj towns.

During the rescue operation the criminals abandoned their victim and fled but were given a hot chase by police leading to the arrest of one gang member and two collaborators.

The young girl was later united with her family and the arrested criminals handed over to Assam police.

Kidnappings for ransom by petty criminals and gangs in the plain belt region have taken place in the past with many criminals falling inside police net. Despite arrests, the lure for easy money remains among many who turn to a career in crime.