Man rams vehicle into Umling centre to escape abduction bid

NONGPOH, March 20: In a desperate bid to escape a kidnapping bid, a man rammed his vehicle into the COVID-19 screening centre at Umling in Ri-Bhoi early Sunday morning. The man was unhurt but the vehicle (ML 10D 8897) was damaged on impact.
A source said the victim was on his way from Shillong to Byrnihat when a woman stopped his vehicle for lift at Mawlai Mawiong in the middle of the night. While the lady was about to enter his vehicle, two men got into the vehicle, snatched his iphone, a smart watch and Rs 1 lakh in cash and forced the victim to drive till Byrnihat.
After reaching Byrnihat, the kidnappers directed him to return back and threatened to kill him. Fearing for his life, the driver turned his vehicle and rammed into the screening centre hoping that policemen present there would be able to save him.
The miscreants fled from the spot and the driver informed the police personnel following which a check was set up at Lad Umsaw in Umiam. Though the accident happened at around 2 am, the police nabbed the suspects at around 4:30 am, the source said.
The victim filed a complaint at Nongpoh police station, but the case has been transferred to Mawlai PS for investigation.