Abducted SBI officer rescued by police

TURA, JUNE 18: Two days after he was abducted, the Meghalaya police rescued SBI Ampati branch manager Arvind Kumar from the clutches of suspected militants. The bank official was kidnapped on Monday.

Kumar was rescued from Milliem village, near Damalgre on Wednesday at around 8 am. The location is about 18 km from Tura.

Three suspected militants had abducted Kumar from Garobadha bridge at gunpoint, while he was on his way to Ampati along with his driver.

The driver was later released in Rangsakona on the same day, but Kumar was taken along by the suspected militants.

Massive operations were launched by the police for two consecutive days around Garobadha – Rangsakona area in South West and West Garo hills districts.

On Wednesday morning, five police team left from Tura to continue its ongoing search operation. There was heavy exchange of fire between police and the militants, following which the militants escaped, leaving behind Kumar”, said West Garo hills SP  Mukesh Singh.

Kumar had joined SBI as a probationary officer in 2008. He started his career as an assistant manager at Chandmari branch in Tura. He was promoted last year and was posted to Ampati as its branch manager. He hails from Bihta in Bihar.

SBI Garo hills division assistant general manager Nixon Joseph lauded the police team and congratulated them for rescuing their officer.

More details on the operation are still awaited.- From Our Correspondent