I was tortured for 19 days: Dajied

SHILLONG, AUG 14: A local youth from Bynther village in West Khasi Hills District, who was rescued by Bangladesh police after he was kidnapped for ransom earlier this year, today narrated the kind of torture he had to go through for 19 days while in the hands of the armed criminals.

“They (criminals) were tying my hands and were beating me up for 19 days,” said Dajiedkynsai Syiemlieh (18), who was handed over to his family by the Bangladesh government at the international border in West Garo Hills District on August 9.

He said that they – the criminals who were speaking in Garo and Hindi – had also told him that they would kill him but before they could executive their plan, the police came to his rescue. According to him, the gang was equipped with three pistols and a dao.

Dajiedkynsai, who was working as helper for a coal baron in Umsur village near Nongjri in South West Khasi Hills District, was abducted by six criminals on April 27.

Recalling the incident, he said that while he was taking bath after repairing the earth mover vehicle, a group of armed criminals knocked on the door and on opening at gun point they took him away to Bangladesh by crossing over the border.

The youth was rescued on May 15, by the police of Sherpur district (Bangladesh) from a vehicle in Jhenaigati village, while acting on the inputs shared by Meghalaya’s South West Khasi Hills District police. He was kept in the custody of Bangladesh authorities for nearly three months.

Four kidnappers were also arrested by the Bangladesh police during the rescue operation.

Asked, Dajiedkynsai said, “I thanked the police in Bangladesh who have saved my life at a point when I was having no hope and for the good treatment they have given me during my stay in the country.”

His father, Rejoicing Basaiawmoit said that the kidnappers had over phone first demanded Rs 1 crore for the safe release of his son. “However on negotiating with them, they agreed to reduce the ransom amount to Rs 50 lakh and then to only Rs 10 lakh,” he said.

Meanwhile, the family members of Dajiedkynsai also expressed their gratefulness to the Bangladesh government and also the home minister HDR Lyngdoh, MLAs, officials of the Meghalaya government especially SP of South West Khasi Hills Herbert G Lyngdoh, whose efforts have ensure the safe return of their son.

By Our Reporter