Of kidnappings and their prevention

Last year, the number of kidnappings fell marginally compared to 1999. But the manner in which some kidnappings were carried out and the victims murdered calls for a well-planned strategy to deal with such cases, writes K.V.SUBRAMANYA.

THE KIDNAP and murder of Prem Kumar (14) reported from Ramamurthynagar police station limits calls for the framing of a well-planned strategy to deal with kidnap cases. Last year, the number of kidnap cases fell marginally compared to 1999. But the manner in which some abductions were carried out and the victims, mainly children, murdered makes the formulation of a concrete plan to check such crimes imperative.

The abductors of Prem Kumar demanded a ransom of Rs. 20 lakhs from his mother. Later, they murdered him and threw his body into a tank at Horamavu.

A few months ago, Deepak (6) was kidnapped for ransom and murdered in Viveknagar police station limits. Similarly, another six-year-old boy, Raghavendra, was kidnapped from his school in Chickpet police station limits by an engineer couple. The accused demanded a ransom of Rs. 15 lakhs from the boy's parents. But police in a swift and well-planned action rescued the boy and nabbed the couple.

Raghavendra's kidnap came close on the heels of the abduction of the garment tycoon, Mr. Narayana Bhat. The Home Minister, Mr. M.Mallikarjuna Kharge, then announced that special squads would be constituted to deal exclusively with kidnap cases reported from Bangalore. But the top brass of the City police says that they are not aware of Mr. Kharge's announcement and the latter has not discussed the issue with them.

Many senior police officers feel that such special squads will not serve any purpose. The City Police Commissioner, Mr. T.Madiyal, says that instead of such squads, police favour the setting up a squad for gathering ``criminal intelligence'' that will be useful in curbing organised crimes. ``This is also an additional resource-building exercise,'' he adds.

Mr. Madiyal also feel that officers posted in special squads will lose the privileges of being in an executive post. ``Hardly any officer will come forward to work in such squads.''

There are many officers in the City who are adept in dealing with organised crimes such as kidnappings. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Mr. U.Nissar Ahmed, and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chickpet), Mr. G.A.Bava, are mainly handling such cases now. Other officers will also be put on the job, Mr. Madiyal adds.

The Joint Commissioners of Police, Dr. Ajai Kumar Singh and Mr. B.N.Nagaraj, say that the jurisdictional police are the competent ones to deal with kidnappings. The officers and vehicles from various jurisdictions have to be drawn to constitute special squads. The jurisdictional officers themselves can be entrusted with the work by providing necessary support, they feel.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Mr. Gopal B.Hosur, say that secrecy and speed are important in rescuing hostages. Utmost care should be taken to ensure that the abductors do not get information on the police operation.

The jurisdictional police, who are the first to know about kidnappings in their limits, should be sensitised about the importance of speed and secrecy, Mr. Hosur says.

The officers dealing with kidnap cases should be trained in negotiating with the abductors, tapping phone calls and recording conversations and liaise with mobile phone service providers as these form the key aspects of a hostage rescue operation, he adds.

The officers also seek cooperation from the media in maintaining secrecy as criminals get alerted by news reports. ``Despite many appeals by the police not to publish reports on the kidnapping of Prem Kumar, the media highlighted the incident. The abductors, who got wind of the police action, killed the boy. At least some efforts could have been made to rescue the boy, if the operation was kept a secret," they adds.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Comply with ICO norms, coffee industry told
Next     : 'Breastfeeding important for growth of babies'