J’khand rape kingpin held

Khunti (J’khand), July 22

The alleged mastermind of the gang-rape of five women activists and abduction of four policemen from a BJP MP’s residence in Jharkhand was arrested from East Singhbhum district on Sunday, along with another accused, a senior police officer said.

The second person was arrested from Khunti district for his alleged involvement in both incidents, said zonal IG (Ranchi) Naveen Kumar Singh here. Seven persons have so far been arrested in the case.

“The mastermind behind the Kochang gang-rape case and the June 26 kidnapping of four constables, who were deployed at the residence of BJP MP Karia Munda, has been arrested. He has been identified as John Johnsas Tidu,” Singh said.

Another person, identified as Balram Samad, was also arrested, he added. Both were residents of Kurunga village under the Arki police station in Khunti district, the zonal IG said.

Tidu was wanted in 12 cases, while Samad was wanted in eight criminal cases in Khunti district, he added. The five women had gone to Kochang village in Khunti district to raise awareness on migration and human trafficking on June 19, when they were allegedly abducted from RC Mission School and later gang-raped. — PTI