Tura (Meghalaya) Sep 9 (IANS): The bodies of three persons, including a minor, who were kidnapped by criminal gangs have been recovered here in western part of Meghalaya.

"We have recovered the bodies of the three people, who were kidnapped for ransom of Rs 30 lakh on Thursday, from Diplipara forest in West Garo hills district following the arrest of four abductors," Mukesh Kumar Singh, district police chief of West Garo Hills told IANS.

A gang of criminal had abducted the trio -- Sulaiman Sheikh (15), son of a butcher, Jitu Rishi and Balsrang. D. Sangma -- from a village near Khepara area on August 27 and asked a ransom of Rs 30 lakh, he said.

Interestingly, none of the family members of the abducted persons lodged an FIR with the police relating with the abduction. But the police went on with their duty and arrested the four gang members.

Initially, the kidnappers had demanded an amount of Rs 30 lakh from the butcher for the safe release of his son. Later, the gang members scaled down the ransom amount to Rs three lakh after the family members of the hostages negotiated.

Singh said the police have so far nabbed four people -- Tengrak B Marak, Emil M Marak, Galsengbath M Marak and Kristone M Sangma -- in connection with the case.

"They have confessed to their crime and we are still on a hunt to nab the others," Singh said.