Two suspected abductors killed in police encounter in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills

Police also recovered one AK series rifle, one pistol, one camouflage bag with 23 rounds of 7.62 mm and 9 rounds of 9 mm ammunition along with other incriminating materials from the encounter spot.

According to police, one Bikas Chetia of Guwahati, who is a taxi driver by profession, was allegedly abducted on Nov 4 from Tikrikilla and a case was registered at Tikrikilla police station Case No. 24(11) 22 u/s 364A/506 IPC.

Subsequently, on Nov 9, Goalpara Police informed that one child has also been kidnapped and kept in West Garo Hills.

Vivekanand Singh Rathore, Superintendent of Police (SP) of West Garo Hills district said in this regard, a case vide Lakhipur police station Case No. 418/22 u/s 365/387/34 IPC was registered.

“Accordingly, investigation was conducted and it was found that both the persons have been abducted by same gang of criminals from Meghalaya as well as Assam. Subsequently, based on findings of investigation, a counter-insurgency operation was launched on November 9,” Vivekanand Singh Rathore said.

The top police official further said the operation team led by SP(T) and consisting of Additional SP(T), SDPO(D), SDPO(R), CI(S), OC Phulbari, and other officers and subordinate ranks spotted the gang as well as the victims at a place in Dibru Hills Forest Reserve near Bamandanga/Gaptuli.

“However, the armed miscreants also saw the police team. They immediately fired at the police team which also retaliated in self defence. The exchange of fire continued for approximately 2-3 minutes. Once the exchange of fire stopped, the place of occurrence was cordoned and thoroughly searched during which two unidentified dead bodies were recovered. Both the abducted victims were also rescued,” the SP of West Garo Hills district said.

He also said one AK series rifle and one pistol was also seen lying near the dead bodies and 19 numbers empty 9 mm and 14 numbers empty 7.62 mm cartridge cases were also recovered from the encounter site.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)