Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 27
Dimapur | April 27
Assam Police, on April 26, rescued four persons from Nagaland, who were kidnapped in Nagaon on April 25. Two persons, identified as Gulzar Hussain and Abu Hanifa, were arrested in this connection. The victims have been identified as Tohoshe Awomi (38), Hokivi Yeptho (33), Mohammed Bilal Hussain (22), and Khalil Ali (33), all residents of Thilixu Village.
According to Tohoshe, he got acquainted with Gulzar over a year back. On April 24, Gulzar had made a phone call offering a car for sale. It was informed that Tohoshe and Hokivi reached Nagaon by train on April 25, along with Bilal and Khalil, who were taken along as guide and driver respectively.
Gulzar, along with his accomplices, met them at Nagaon Railway Station, after which they proceeded towards a house. It is reported that the four were then locked up and assaulted with iron rods. A ransom demand of Rs. 4 lakhs was made to the families of the kidnapped. The kidnappers then sent an SBI bank account number to the families, through SMS, for the money to be deposited in. The kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if the ransom was not paid within 2 days. All documents belonging to the victims, including PAN cards, driving licenses, mobile phones etc. were destroyed by the kidnappers. The families negotiated the amount to Rs. 3 Lakhs and after making arrangements, deposited Rs. 62000 as an initial installment.
The families, meanwhile, approached the Dimapur Muslim Public Forum (DMPF) for help on April 25. DMPF suggested filing an FIR at Diphupar Police Station, and at the same time, made contacts with Assam Police and public leaders in Nagaon. Assam Police, with the assistance of the local administration, rescued the victims on April 26 from a hideout some 40 kms from Nagaon Town. DMPF General Secretary, Mukhibur Rehman has expressed gratitude to the Assam Police and Nagaland Police for their efforts in recovering the victims.
It was also revealed that the bank account, where the ransom money was deposited, has been blocked and that efforts are on to recover the money. The two accused are presently in custody of Assam Police.
