Meghalaya resident kidnapped in Assam, rescued from West Garo Hills

TURA

A resident of Tura was kidnapped on February 22 between Paikan and Agia in the district of Goalpara in Assam.

The Meghalaya police later rescued the victim from near Gaptuli Forest Reserve, close to Phulbari in the district of West Garo Hills.

Four persons involved in the kidnapping have also been arrested with the police currently on the lookout for more members of the same gang that were allegedly involved in the crime.

The victim, identified as one Pawan Ray from Tura, was on his way to Bongaigaon to receive a family member. He was in the car (Kia Seltos) along with the driver and had stopped at Paikan to have dinner. They were apparently followed by a Baleno car, without registration plates, which stopped their car a few kilometres from Paikan on the National Highway.

The armed criminals then dragged the victim and the driver from the car and thrashed them before allowing the driver to leave after snatching his phone and money.

“We received information at about 2:39 am, this morning, February 23, from the wife of Ray that he had been kidnapped by some unknown persons. She received a call from the driver. The vehicle was also taken by the criminals,” said WGH Superintendent of police, Dr MGR Kumar.

Police on receiving credible inputs from sources that the vehicle was seen near the Shillong Bypass whereas the victim was seen near Bamundanga, Paham under Bogulorbhita in Tikrikilla swung into action.

“A search and rescue operation was conducted near the Gaptuli Reserve. Upon seeing the approaching police officers, the abductors fled the scene, leaving the victim. We were able to catch one of the gang members (Md Raju Ali of Nolbari, Assam),” informed Dr Kumar.

Further the vehicle that was taken away by one of the gang members was recovered.

Meanwhile, Ribhoi police arrested two more of the criminal gang along with the Mahindra Pik-Up vehicle used for the crime.

A case in the matter has been registered at Tikrikilla Police Station after an FIR was submitted by the SDPO of Dadenggre.

(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)

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