Five people who were recently accused of being involved in a kidnap-turned-murder of a 14-year-old boy in Nagrabil village, under Pillangkata Police Outpost, today came out publicly to state that they are innocent. The five, who include serving and former senior figures in the village administration, are Bishnat K Sangma, Robinson M Arengh, Sonu M Arengh, Rohit K Sangma and Apnel K Marak.
On December 4, 2019 the teenager was kidnapped from Nagrabil and held for ransom, with the kidnappers demanding Rs 1 crore for his release. The family was unable to pay up and on December 16 the boy’s body was recovered.
On October 23, the three men who were charged by police for the crime – Anthai K Marak, Paulus R Marak and Jakaeus Ch Marak – denied being involved in the crime and they were supported in this by the father of the murdered boy, Monu Arengh. They slammed the district police for their “wrongful arrest” in the case and named the other five as responsible.
At a public meeting in Umtyrnga today, the five said that the allegations against them were defamatory and expressed confidence that the police are doing their jobs properly.
Robinson and Sonu even said that they had helped carry the body of the boy to his home after it was discovered.
“Though they had, during that time of grief, lent a helping hand to the family, as village representatives, they are now being blamed in the killing. Is this reward for their kindness?” one person at the meeting said.
Robinson and Sonu have also filed a case of defamation at Pillangkata PO.
