Berhampur: Police have started a manhunt for those involved in the abduction of four persons, who were held captive for four days and threatened with three snakes to demand a ransom of Rs 2 crore. The four were rescued on Monday from a deserted house near Chikiti under K Nuagaon police station limits in Ganjam district.
One suspect was arrested while others are on the run. “We have formed three teams to search for the other accused and raid some of their suspected hideouts,” said SP (Berhampur) Saravana Vivek M on Tuesday.
He said around 10 people from Berhampur and nearby areas are involved in the abduction. The suspects fled following police intervention and the subsequent rescue of the hostages, authorities said. The victims, including a Delhi resident, said they are employees of a private finance company assessing a project on the invitation of locals.
They arrived in Berhampur on Jan 23 and were taken to Chikiti, where they stayed in a house before being moved to a forest area, according to the FIR filed at K Nuagaon police station on Monday. Authorities questioned their stated purpose because they were not able to produce any company documentation.
However, police are probing their motives, suspecting possible connection to ganja trafficking. “We are inquiring about their actual intention of visiting Berhampur,” said the SP, while noting the victims had no prior criminal records.
A cobra found near the confinement site was rescued. “The snake is recovering and will be released into the wild soon,” said Dibya Shankar Sahu, Digapahandi forest range officer. Forest officials have not filed charges against the suspects regarding the snake’s use.