Tura, Mar 22: A cattle trader abducted by a criminal gang in Damal Asim area of West Garo Hills district has been safely rescued and one of the adductors killed in police action on Friday. Two other criminals, including a former Garo militant were arrested in the operation.
West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma informed that the abduction incident occured on Thursday in a forest reserve and the subsequent rescue operation unfolded on Friday.
A resident of Bangalkata village in Phulbari approached the Damal A·sim Police Station
to report the abduction of his father, Ruvi Hussain, by three unknown individuals carrying arms and a dagger while they were transporting cattle from the area. The incident occurred near Dananggre Songma reserve forest.
In response to the distress call, a team of West Garo Hills District Police
and SF-10 Commandos along with the teams of Dadenggre and Damal Asim police stations initiated a rescue and search operation.
The search teams were able to locate the hideout of the perpetrators at Dipogre Asim Chiring under Damal Asim Police Station, during the wee hours of Friday.
“Upon arrival on the scene, the kidnappers opened fire on the police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire in self-defence. Subsequently, two injured kidnappers were apprehended, while abducted victim Ruvi Hussain was safely rescued,” said the SP.
The victim and the injured kidnappers were provided with medical attention at Dadenggre and since one of the kidnappers had sustained a bullet injury near his abdomen area, he was referred to Tura for medical treatment. He was taken to Tura Civil Hospital where doctors declared him “brought dead”. The deceased has been identified as Raksan M Marak.
During the search operation of the encounter site, police informed that they recovered incriminating evidence including a country-made shotgun, a small puma bag, and a knife.
The kidnappers who survived the encounter and were arrested have been identified as Chingsan M. Marak and Sengchuang M Sangma.
Sengchuang M Sangma, who goes by the name of Miksong, is a former militant belonging to the now defunct ASAK outfit. He had served a two year jail term in Garo Hills and was released on bail less than a month ago from the Tura jail.
The West Garo Hills District Police have urged the public to stay vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activities, movement of unknown persons, or unlawful gatherings to the nearest police station or contact Police Control Room, Tura in the numbere 8837423053 and 9089199064.
Traders and businessmen, and members of the public have also been advised to tread with caution when moving into interior and isolated areas and to alert authorities and seek police assistance if required.
