In a shocking incident in Palamu district, a teacher couple was held hostage for four hours by a gang of approximately 15 dacoits in the Mugaljan Tola area of Kukahi village. The robbers, who arrived late Thursday night, ransacked the residence of Mrityunjay Mehta, a teacher at Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Japla, and his wife Anita Devi, a para-teacher. The assailants looted cash, gold and silver ornaments, and other valuables. Disturbingly, the dacoits also forced the couple to cook and ate food before fleeing in the early hours of Friday. The ordeal began around 11 PM when Mr. Mehta, awakened by suspicious sounds on the roof, confronted an armed robber. After a brief scuffle, more dacoits entered the house while others kept guard outside. Armed with pistols, knives, and iron rods, the criminals brutally beat the couple, threatening them with weapons as they searched every locker, cupboard, and bag. They demanded cash and keys relentlessly for four hours. The group also issued death threats before their departure. Following the incident, villagers rushed to the aid of the injured couple and admitted them to Husainabad Sub-divisional Hospital. Police arrived at the scene shortly after being informed, with the sub-divisional police officer also conducting an inspection and questioning the victims. Residents are blaming police inaction for the brazen daylight robbery, highlighting a severe lapse in security that allowed the dacoits to operate with impunity for an extended period.
