Abducted mukhiya’s family gets ransom calls

Munger: Suspected Maoist abductors of the Dariyapur-2 panchayat mukhiya Bhola Verma and his son Shambhu, are said to have used a satellite phone to demand Rs 22 lakh for their safe release.

Family members remained tightlipped and refused to talk but the Munger police has approached IT experts to locate the callers.

Over two days after the two were abducted while taking a stroll after dinner on Thursday, police have not made any breakthrough in the case.

Munger superintendent of police (SP) Ashish Bharati was not available for comment despite several attempts.

Residents blockaded roads for eight hours on Saturday. “The abductors made two or three calls in the last 24 hours and demanded Rs 22 lakh,” said a police officer in Kharagpur on the condition of anonymity. “But it is not possible for us to identify the callers as they keep changing their locations.” He said they might be using satellite phone.

A senior civil servant, however, said the abductors could be using a conference system as the calls came from places far apart, like Jhajha in Chhattisgarh and then Darjeeling in Bengal. “We have requested IT experts for help.”

Bhagalpur zone deputy inspector-general Vikas Vaibhav, who is also in-charge of Munger police zone, was not able to confirm involvement of Maoists. “We are conducting raids and have got some vital clues. We hope to zero in on the culprits soon.”

Courtesy: The Telegraph