Tura, Feb 5: A trader from Assam who went missing from Baghmara in South Garo Hills on Tuesday has surfaced in the district town after escaping from the kidnapper’s custody on Friday morning.

The victim fled from captivity near Rongara and alerted police of his escape.

“He escaped from their custody in the early morning and is now in safe custody with us. He will be united with his family shortly,” a statement from South Garo Hills district superintendent of police Priyanshu Pandey mentioned.

The breakthrough comes after two gang members got arrested.

“One of the criminals got arrested at Ampati in South-West Garo Hills and the second accused was arrested from Rongara. It was based on intelligence sources,” informed SP Pandey.

The areca nut (betel nut) trader, Nur Md, who hailed from Mankachar town in the South Salmara district of Assam, disappeared along with his Mahindra Pik Up mini truck that he drove himself shortly after leaving Baghmara town on Tuesday.

He had been dealing in the purchase of areca nut from plantations across Garo Hills villages for sale in Assam and sensing his vulnerability a gang of criminals lured him into the region, according to information available.

According to sources, he was initially supposed to travel to the village of Karukol, 25 kms from Baghmara on the road towards Siju, where a deal was to be struck for the purchase of the areca nut produce from the farmers. He was last seen leaving Baghmara town with an unidentified man, suspected to be one of the kidnappers.