TURA, Feb 23: West Garo Hills Police on Tuesday rescued a businessman from the clutches of a kidnappers’ gang after raiding a hideout in a reserve forest between Tikrikilla and Chibinang. The businessman was abducted on Monday when he was en route to Assam.
Tuesday’s operation also led to the capture of four kidnappers from different areas and seizure of a stolen vehicle, thanks to coordinated efforts by police from Garo Hills, Ri Bhoi and Jowai. The abduction story unraveled after West Garo Hills Police were alerted by the wife of the businessman, Pawan Ray, about his disappearance.
Ray was proceeding to Bongaigaon town in Assam along with his driver in a Kia Seltos vehicle on Monday evening when he was apparently followed and taken hostage.
It was after this Pawan’s wife received a call from the driver, who narrated their plight. He said that unknown armed men had abducted his owner near Goalpara and taken the vehicle.
Hours later, she received a call from her husband’s phone during which the kidnappers demanded ransom for Pawan’s safe return.
During the operation, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and fled the scene. However, a hot chase resulted in one of the gang members, Md Raju Ali hailing from Nolbari village in Assam, getting captured.