Arunachal kidnappers brought to justice by local Authorities

Itanagar, May 13, 2019:

The Arunachal Pradesh Police in collaboration with the Army succeeded in apprehending the miscreants involved in asking for a ransom of Rs. 40 lakh for release of Kashyap Baruah, an employee of Udipta Energy Oil Company.

The story dates back to April 1, 2019, when Kashyap Baruah was stopped by two persons armed with sophisticated weapons at Maitripur in Manabum area in Diyun Circle, Changlang District. He was traveling with the driver of an Ambulance. Both were asked to abandon the vehicle and forcibly taken to the nearby forest area. Later, in the jungle, the phone of the driver was snatched and he was freed so that the news of kidnapping could be related to the company. The kidnappers introduced themselves as members of an insurgent outfit and had kidnapped Kashyap for ransom.

A case was registered at Diyun Police Station vide. Case No. 4/19 u/s 365/341/34 IPC rw 25 (1B) (A) of Arms Act and investigation was on.

The kidnappers demanded Rs. 3 crores as a ransom for the release Baruah. Following negotiation with the company, the ransom amount finally dwindled from Rs. 3 crores to Rs. 40 lacs. On April 20, 2019, the amount of Rs. 40 lacs was delivered to the abductors in the Sukha Nallah area between Diyun and Manabum. The following day, Kashyap Boruah was safely released.

Thereafter, an operation to nab the kidnappers and to recover the amount paid as ransom was launched jointly by Changlang District Police.

During the operation, all locations used as shelters and the persons suspected to be involved in facilitating and supporting the kidnappers were raided, based on the local intelligence inputs leading to the arrest of two main accused along with 8 other persons who had helped them in the entire incident.

The raid was conducted in 10 different locations in deep jungles and villages. A total amount of Rs. 28.19 lakh was recovered out of Rs. 40 lacs.

The main accused have been identified as Boksu Chakma and Sikko Chakma. The third accused was identified as Raj Kumar Chakma from Tripura, who is still absconding with the ransom amount. The Arunachal Police is still operating the search operation.