On the other hand, the man who was found dead in a field at Keirao Konjeng Lairembi Panung under Irilbung police station yesterday has been identified as Abhishek alias Bunty who was abducted from Thangal Bazar on February 13.
According to police, Surya Narayan Yadav of Dumra village in Bihar, presently staying at Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak lodged a complaint regarding the abduction of his younger brother Tej Narayan by some unidentified persons from their locality on February 18.
During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the victim was taken on the pretext of hiring him for construction of a house. He was then taken and hidden in Keibi area. The kidnappers called up the family members and demanded a ransom of Rs. five lakh with dire consequence if the police are informed. The family negotiated with the kidnappers and agreed to pay Rs. 1,30,000 for the release of Tej Narayan, the police said.
Based on specific information, the combined police team conducted search operation at Keibi area and cordoned off the hillocks of Chanung village at 1 pm this afternoon. The kidnappers fired towards the police team and fled towards the nearby dense forest. The police gunned down a suspected kidnapper in retaliation while another was arrested and the other escaped through the nearby jungle.
One .32 pistol and one Chinese hand grenade were also recovered from the possession of the slain person.
The deceased person is identified as Longjam Dhamen, 32, son of Naba of Keibi Shallam while the arrested person is identified as Sagolsem Romen Singh, 30, son of Ibohanbi of Loushangkhong Makha Leikai and the escaped person is Moirangthem Ranajit alias Abungcha, 26, son of Tombi of Wakha Makha Leikai.
The arrested kidnapper revealed that they do not belong to any UG group, but to a gang formed to target innocent people and earn quick money.
Meanwhile, the family members of Abhishek identified his dead body at JNIMS mortuary today morning.
Cousin brother of Abhishek who is also the proprietor of Rajeev Glass Hardware, Debesh stated that his brother was abducted by some unidentified persons on February 13 from Thangal Bazar. He had already given the ransom money of Rs. 10 lakh to the kidnappers after they called him to come to the recent landslide spot at Saparmaina.
The kidnappers even thrashed his driver Abung from Laipham Khunou and forcibly took away the money. They told him that they will inform about Abhishek’s release as soon as possible, Debesh said.