Three friends held hostage, thrashed in Morena forest over old rivalry

Bhopal: Three friends were allegedly abducted, held hostage and brutally beaten for hours by eight men in a forest in Morena district over an old rivalry linked to illegal ration rice trade, police said.The incident took place on May 31 near Gyanand Pura forest in Porsa town. FIR was registered on June 10. All accused are absconding.Complainant Saurabh Tomar and prime accused Akash Tomar were allegedly partners in illegal government ration rice trade. Last year, authorities seized a truck carrying the rice. Akash allegedly suspected Saurabh of informing officials and planned revenge.Accused first picked up Saurabh’s two friends, Harsh Bhadauria and Lucky Tomar, and forced Lucky to call Saurabh to the forest around 11.30 am.

When he arrived, all three were surrounded and held captive.The accused allegedly forced the three into ‘murga’ position and beat them with sticks for nearly six hours. Victims pleaded for mercy but assault continued.Accused placed a country-made pistol and stolen motorcycle near victims and recorded videos to implicate them in theft case. Three were released between 5.30 pm and 6 pm after accused demanded Rs 1 lakh within two days.Two police teams have been formed and raids are underway to arrest the accused.