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NRI family seeks Army help to trace kidnapped trader

GUWAHATI, April 16. — Peeved at the “reluctant” way Assam police are trying to trail the abductors of businessman- politician Dr Pratul Deb, his UK-based daughter Dr Sipra Deb has demanded deployment of the Army to conduct raid operations to release her father from the clutches of the abductors.

Talking to The Statesman over phone from Katlicherra in Hailakandi district this evening, Dr Deb who had come all the way from UK with her mother, 54-year-old Mrs Shibani Deb, expressed concern over the fate of her father who was kidnapped way back on 17 March by suspected Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) from Katlicherra area along with his driver and manager Mr Jalal.

“The militants are yet to release my father even after we have paid Rs 5 lakh to them in two installments so far. We are now apprehensive that the worst may befall my 67-year-old father who had undergone a major heart surgery three months back. The entire family is in a state of shock and my mother is devastated by the incident,” she revealed. She informed that the ultras had released the driver and the manager on 18 March with a ransom demand to the family. The ultras had demanded Rs 40 lakh for release of the businessman who was dealing in bamboo export for last several years.

The family paid Rs 5 lakh in two installments on 29 March and 2 April last through the manager who could identify the kidnappers. “All along the police were kept well informed about it. The ultras had promised to hand over Mr Deb alive at a particular location on 3 April on payment of the rest of the amount. But they did not turn up on that day and had gone out of contact with us since then adding to our agony,” she said.

She claimed that the family had information that the businessman was last seen on 14 April inside Shaikota jungle near Ramnathpur in Katlicherra Although the police were informed, they failed to act in time. “The police hadn’t been conducting raids in a proper manner. The ultras always get the wind of police party before the latter reach their hideouts. It has been frustrating,” she said while demanding deployment of the Army to help trace her father alive.
UK-based eldest daughter and wife of the abducted businessman-politician have been camping at Katlicherra since 24 March last. The businessman who had come here from UK also fought the last Assembly polls in BJP’s ticket from Katlicherra constituency against his brother-in-law, Mr Gautom Roy, the present social welfare minister in Assam.

The Inspector General of Assam Police (Special Branch) Mr Khagen Sharma informed that the militants involved in the abduction have not contacted Mr Deb’s family of late although they had earlier been in regular contact with the family with ransom demands. He also informed that on one occasion, the ultras even backtracked on their promise to release the businessman on a particular day.
Police informed that on the basis of information provided by a few apprehended persons suspected to be involved in the kidnapping, the police and CRPF have launched a massive combing operation in Bhaicherra jungles bordering Mizoram.
(Source: Statesman News Service)

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