In a major breakthrough, police in Jharkhand's Chatra district successfully rescued six villagers who had allegedly been abducted by armed criminals posing as members of the banned Maoist outfit MCC (Maoist Communist Centre).
The victims were freed unharmed following a police operation that led to an exchange of fire with the kidnappers in a forested area.
According to police, the incident took place in the Tandwa-Keredari region, where a group of armed criminals allegedly kidnapped six local residents after claiming to be MCC insurgents. The abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 1 lakh for the release of the hostages.
Taking the matter seriously, the district police launched an intensive search operation on the directions of the Superintendent of Police. A special team was constituted to trace the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
During the search operation, the police team located the abductors and the hostages in a forest area. As security personnel moved in, the criminals allegedly opened fire.
Police retaliated, triggering a brief encounter. Under pressure from the advancing police force, the kidnappers abandoned the hostages and fled into the forest.
All six abducted persons were rescued safely during the operation. Police subsequently carried out swift follow-up action and detained or arrested five of the six accused believed to be involved in the kidnapping.
Police identified two of the arrested accused as Ramesh Kumar Ganjhu and Satish Kumar Ganjhu. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining absconding suspects.
Investigators are also probing possible extremist links and the broader criminal network behind the abduction, police said.
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