IB officer, trader bodies recovered

TURA, OCT 24: Meghalaya police on Saturday recovered the body of central intelligence officer Bikash Kumar Singh and trader Kamal Saha from Bolchugre village, near Panda in South Garo Hills.

Bolchugre is about 18 km from Baghmara.

Suspected militants had abducted Singh and Saha on September 24, while they were travelling on a shared Sumo from Rongara village to Baghmara, the district headquarter of South Garo hills.  Police had claimed that two gunmen, in camouflage, waylaid the Sumo at the Panda reserve forest area and abducted them.

“South Garo Hills SP has informed that the body of Vikash and Saha were recovered from Bolchugre village”, said Inspector General of Police (operation) GHP Raju informed.

South Garo hills SP Lakador Syiem said, “The two bodies buried in a hole about 2 kms north of Bolchugre village were recovered in sitting position. After exhumation they were brought to Baghmara for autopsy”.

The bodies were exhumed in presence of magistrate Pilot R Marak and doctor Bonie D Shira.

The body of Singh and Saha were brought to Baghmara this evening. The bodies were buried together at Bolchugre and exhumed at around 7 pm. The post mortem will be conducted tomorrow.

The bodies will be handed over tomorrow at Baghmara to their relatives.

The search operation to rescue Singh and Saha continued for a month. However, on Saturday evening police recovered the body of the duo.  The entire police and paramilitary troops were on high alert along the border areas of South Garo hills and were on day and night operation to locate the whereabouts of Singh and Kumar.

The Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and other outfits had distance itself from the abduction. On September 25, the outfit had condemned the abduction and sought for his unconditional release.- From Our Correspondent