Another three abducted in Bihar

Coal merchant Dhananjay Kumar Singh was kidnapped from GT Road near Sasaram, Rohtas district. The district also saw the kidnapping of Punjab National Bank manager R.D. Sharma from Bikramganj. Sharma was abducted when he was on his way home this afternoon. Two persons accompanying him were also taken away by abductors but were released later.

In Sasaram’s Nokha police station area, dacoits looted the house of one Sant Singh on Thursday night and abducted his 15-year-old son Manoj Singh. They have reportedly demanded Rs 4 lakh ransom for Manoj’s release.

The public anger over the spate of kidnappings is tangible. People blocked the road in Sasaram soon after the three incidents were reported in the district. Residents of Asiana Nagar, from where Sidhant was kidnapped on Thursday, too sat on a dharna. The United Forum of Bank Unions, in a meeting in Patna, decided to strike work on Monday to protest Sharma’s abduction.

Police say the Pappu Singh gang is behind the Sidhant’s kidnapping. The gang reportedly kidnapped neurosurgeon Ramesh Chandra in May, said police.

The Bihar government, however, remains unfazed. ‘‘Which country in the world is there where these things do not happen,’’ asked Chief Minister Rabri Devi. Excise Minister Siwanad Tiwari, also the RJD spokesperson, said the people of Bihar are happy with the six years of Rabri government.