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TURA, JUNE 4
CARRYING on the offensive against organized crime between the states of Meghalaya and Assam, the South West Garo Hills (SWGH) police arrested another five people to bust another kidnapping gang from within the district on Wednesday even as another kidnapper, who had earlier escaped the clutches of the police earlier this week surrendered on Thursday to bring the total number of people arrested to 10.
The surrendered cadre of the Liberation of Achik Matgrik Army (LAMA) has been identified as Chalang Ch Marak (18) and has been arrested after his surrender.
Acting on information provided by Md Hafizur Rehman, the kingpin in the whole kidnapping racket, police led a search to catch another gang of kidnappers which had earlier kidnapped a driver, Liril Hajong on April 21. Hajong was later released by the group allegedly on payment of ransom. Rehman was the alleged spotter in his kidnapping as well.
The five arrested on Wednesday have been identified as Benedict M Sangma, (22) of Upper Dobasipara village of Tura, Dicen Ch Sangma, (30) of Apalgre village in Ampati, Nilejeng Ch Marak, (25) of Apalgre village, Donobirth A Sangma alias Dono, (20) of Dilnegre village in Garobadha and Nokmat M Marak alias Rohan, (19) also of Dilnegre.
“Benedict is said to be the leader of another gang of kidnappers operating in the Ampati area of SWGH. His gang had abducted Liril Hajong on April 21 and the victim was released only
after a ransom was reportedly paid”, informed the Superintendent of Police (SP), SWGH, Aditya Goenka.
The arrest of Rehman has led to a whole ‘Pandora’s Box’ being opened while proving the theory that the criminal gang was a mixed group correct. “We are hopeful of cracking the case further as questioning of Rehman continues”, added Goenka.
Search operations within the district of SWGH as well as West Garo Hills (WGH) were intensified in order to secure the release of an 11 year old who is still believed to be in captivity. The 11 year old was reportedly kidnapped along with his grandfather, Abdul Mannan last Saturday. Mannan’s body was later found near Damalgre while the minor still remains untraced.
“It is a major breakthrough and we have been working non-stop to nab the kidnapping groups and Rehman’s arrest has opened up a lot of things. Search operations have continued through yesterday (Wednesday) and today (Thursday) and will continue further”, said the SP.
According to sources, Rehman, the lynchpin, had a very simple modus operandi. Being a non Garo, Rehman would befriend traders from Assam, taking information of their finances and whereabouts before tipping the groups he had a link with. The group would then kidnap the traders before demanding ransom for their release.
The recent kidnappings however were of a different mould altogether. “The kidnappings that took place recently were not for ransom. They had a more sinister design - to create an air of communal disharmony. These kidnappings were not for money as normally the person is released after ransom payments were made. However, the intention in the recent kidnappings is to foment trouble. There can be no other explanation”, said a highly placed police source.
“Our primary objective is to secure the minor boy’s release and searches are currently on to ensure that goal”, added Goenka.
