Patna residents protest kidnapping of businessman
By IANSMonday, January 25, 2010
PATNA - Hundreds of people Monday protested the kidnapping of a businessman in this Bihar capital, police said.
Bhagwat Mehta, a hotel owner, was kidnapped last Wednesday. His family members received two calls from kidnappers asking for a ransom of Rs.25 lakh. Mehta’s son Chandrajeet Prasad had lodged a case of kidnapping at Bahadurpur police station here Thursday.
“People protested by shouting slogans and blocked roads and rail track near Kumrhar that disrupted train movement here Monday,” a police officer said. They also threatened to launch an indefinite protest if Mehta was not rescued by the police within a day.
The officer said kidnappers threatened Mehta’s family with dire consequences if the ransom was not paid.
“Police are working hard to rescue Mehta but no breakthrough has been made till date,” the officer said.
Kidnapping for ransom is rampant in Bihar. Lawyers, doctors and wealthy businessmen have been the prime targets of extortionists. Hundreds of well-to-do professionals have migrated to bigger cities or sent their children to boarding schools because of this threat.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who came to power in November 2005, had promised to turn Bihar into a crime-free state within three months.
