Bihar abductors on ‘eviction’ drive

Last evening, Ayush had gone to a nearby stationery shop when an anonymous caller told Aparna that her son had been kidnapped and would be released only after she vacates the house. Police have detained two persons for interrogation. This, according to political leaders and social activists, point to the changing trend in kidnappings.

‘‘Money is no longer the only motive. Enmity or sometimes the slightest of provocation lead people to being kidnapped,’’ said Opposition leader Sushil Kumar Modi.

The spate in kidnappings has even alarmed the police. The new District General of Police, D.P. Ojha, has ordered that all cases of kidnappings in the past 10 years be reopened and a list of kidnappers prepared within a month.

The NDA has called a convention tomorrow to chalk out a strategy to overthrow the RJD government for failing to check the spate in kidnappings. In a rare show of unity, senior leaders like Nitish Kumar, George Fernandes, Pramod Mahajan and Sanjay Paswan will take part in the meeting.

On Sunday, a second case of kidnapping was registered in which 11-year-old Ravi Prakash was abducted. His father, Manoj, runs a liquour shop and received a ransom call in the evening.

Modi said the abductors are no longer targeting the rich but are even kidnapping for a few thousands.

In Biharsharif, the son of a sweeper, Ravi (5), was abducted on Monday. The kidnappers called the sweeper, R. Ravinder, to a nearby STD booth and asked for Rs 50,000. In Patna, teastall owner, Madan, was kidnapped and his family was told to pay Rs 5,000 last week.

‘‘Mass kidnappings are also taking place in Champaran where buses are stopped and a group of people are abducted at gun-point,’’ the Opposition leader said.

At a press conference, Modi also accused the RJD government of sheltering kidnappers. He said members of the notorious Sultan Mian gang were arrested from the house of a Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA. Also, weapons were seized from an arms dealer who is allegedly close to the RJD.

In Patna, district courts remained shut today, as lawyers led a protest march through the city. They urged CM Rabri Devi to wake up to the law and order situation in Bihar. They have been on a strike since the murder of lawyer Jitender Singh.