Tura, June 16: A massive combing operation has been launched today to nab the unidentified militant involved in the abduction of a state bank of India (SBI) official.
“Security forces from West and South-West Garo Hills is conducting joint operation along Garobadha – Rangsakona area”, said superintendent of police, West Garo Hills, Mukesh Singh.
Arvind Kumar, who was posted at Ampati Branch as its Manager was abducted from Garobadha. He was on his way to Ampati, the district headquarter of South-West Garo Hills.
The incident took place between 9:30 to 10 AM. Police said Kumar was travelling with his driver Sanjay Mahanta, when three suspected militants stopped their i20 vehicle near a bridge at Garobadha, and took them on a gunpoint.
“First they asked for money, on his refusal, the three militants sat behind and asked the driver to take the vehicle towards Rangsakona. After reaching Rangsakona, they kept the manager and asked the driver to move with his vehicle”, said Singh.
Arvind Kumar joined SBI as a probationary officer in 2008. He started his career as assistant manager of Chandmari branch in Tura. On promotion last year, he was posted to Ampati as its branch manager. He hails from Bihta in Bihar.
Police are interrogating the driver. Assistant General Manager of Garo hills, Nixon Joseph has appealed the abductors to release the official, who has come from outside to serve the region and its people.
“Bank officials are depending only on their salary for their livelihood. I request those who have kidnapped the official to release him as he has to support his family and his child. SBI is trying its best to develop Garo hills and incidents like this would only dampen our efforts to do more for Garo hills”, said Joseph in his appeal.(SP News)
