Elderly man kidnapped, shot dead in Cachar; 4 held

Silchar: A man in his 60s was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and shot dead by a group of armed youths near the Assam–Manipur border in Assam’s Cachar district, triggering panic in the area, police said on Monday.The victim, Luku Mia Laskar of Atghar village under Jirighat police station, was targeted in the morning when he stepped out of his house. Police said armed men surrounded him at gunpoint and forcibly took him away.His body was later recovered from Baghkhali road, a short distance from his residence, with multiple bullet injuries and signs of severe physical torture. Police said preliminary findings indicate at least four bullet wounds.Following information from family members, police reached the spot and began an investigation.“Four persons have been arrested in connection with the case. A firearm has also been recovered. Investigation is underway,” Jirighat police station officer-in-charge Rana Kumar Nath said, adding that further details cannot be disclosed at this stage.Locals suspect the killing may be linked to an old land dispute.