Kidnapped trader released

A trader from Assam was kidnapped by miscreants in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district but was left off unharmed by them, a senior police officer said Wednesday.

Tapos Dey (37) of Krishnai in Assam's Goalpara district was kidnapped by the miscreants from near the village of Bansam Awe on Tuesday morning while he was on his way to the weekly market at Rongsak.

The kidnappers panicked after hearing the launch of a search operation by the police as well as villagers at multiple points, the officer said.

The kidnappers left Dey in the deep jungle on Tuesday night. He reached the village of Bansam Awe where a villager provided him food and shelter for the night, they police said.

Dey was taken to the Williamnagar police station this morning.

Meanwhile, the police has arrested one person in connection with the kidnapping of the trader.

"Last evening we apprehended one suspicious person during a search. On being questioned he admitted to knowing about the plan to kidnap someone as well as named the other gang members. A case has been registered and search is on to apprehend the remaining accused persons," said Superintendent of Police, Ringrang TG Momin.