Tura: The father of a Catholic priest, who was taken away at gunpoint from Meghalaya state’s south Garo Hills to neighboring Bangladesh, was released unharmed on Tuesday.
Aidinon R Marak, father of Fr Francis N Marak, had spent 20 days in captivity in a foreign land.
The senior Marak’s captors released him near Sibbbari border from where the 70-year-old man walked alone to enter India. He was found exhausted and severely dehydrated.
The release was done only after the criminals received the ransom money. Police sources revealed that a sum of 200,000 rupees was handed over to the criminals.
Earlier, the kidnappers had demanded 3.5 million rupees from the family of the retired government employee and teacher.
He was taken away on June 15 from his residence at Imbloka village of Rongara region.
Preliminary reports indicate that the kidnappers had kept him confined inside a house of a Bangladeshi national across the border with a round the clock guard outside to ensure he did not escape, The Shillong Times reported.
He was provided with just one meal a day served in the evening and the aged victim had to make do with it for the rest of the next day.
Police sources reveal that the gang behind the abduction comprised Bangladeshi Garos and Muslims who were assisted by Indian nationals as well.
Following the release of Aidinon Marak, the Catholic Church in Garo Hills has expressed its gratitude to all the people who worked tireless for his safe return.
“We are extremely grateful to the citizens of Garo Hills, all the Christian denominations and others for their prayers and support during these trying times,” said Rev. Fr. Theodore Sangma, parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, Tura.