police, media , public have to act calmly in kidnapping cases

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100613/j&k.htm#1


Shalin’s murder
Timely police action could have saved the boy
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 12
Though it is easier to find faults with the management of an incident at the hindsight, the kidnapping and murder of Shalin Gupta could have been avoided had the police acted discreetly. Crime analysts say kidnapping is one of the most complex and complicated crimes to handle wherein action by the police, family, public and media can hinge on the victim’s life.
The grief-stricken mother of Shalin Gupta runs towards his body when it was brought at Nai Basti in Jammu on Saturday; and (right) protesting women try to barge into Gandhi Nagar police station
The grief-stricken mother of Shalin Gupta runs towards his body when it was brought at Nai Basti in Jammu on Saturday; and (right) protesting women try to barge into Gandhi Nagar police station. Tribune photos: Anand Sharma and Inderjeet Singh

While it is not possible for the family to maintain calm in such a trying situation, the police has ample experience to guide the family on how to deal with the situation. The kidnapping of children is a rare crime in Jammu and no such incident took place in the last five years in the area.

An analysis of such cases reveals that the chances of survival of a kidnapped person are low when he recognises the kidnappers. “In such cases, only swift police action can save the victim. Even paying the ransom won’t help. The kidnappers would never release the person alive as he could expose them the moment he was released,” said a Punjab police officer.

He stressed swift police action was easier said than done. “By the time the police comes into the picture, the word of kidnapping generally spreads around and the police action becomes difficult.”

Media, too, has a key role to play. At many places, where media and the police have good coordination, the news of kidnapping is not released. As a result the kidnappers do not panic and the police get time to act.

Former DGP MM Khajuria said Shalin’s kidnapping was a bad reflection on the law and order situation in the state. “You can’t keep the police out of a kidnapping incident. The police has to be informed. The kidnappers’ warning has to be taken seriously and the further path taken carefully.”

Asked if paying ransom was the easy way out, the former DGP replies in the negative. “And if you settle for money, there is no end to it. The child can be kidnapped again.”

Boy was killed within 15 minutes: DIG

“The kidnapped boy was killed within 15 minutes,” claimed DIG (Jammu-Kathua) range Farooq Khan to reporters in a hurriedly convened press conference in the late evening. The DIG said the kidnappers had already planned to kill him as the boy could recognise them.