Kapurthala, July 12
A special police officer (SPO) reportedly kidnapped a seven-year-old son of a non-resident Indian (NRI) from latter’s house in Model Town locality falling under city police station.

The alleged kidnapper, identified as SPO Manvir Singh, is posted at police lines here. He is stated to be a friend of the NRI Sukhwinder Singh. The latter was in Spain when his son Puneet Pal Singh was kidnapped.

According to the police sources, Manvir was a frequent visitor to the NRI’s house.

He allegedly abducted Puneet at around 8 pm on Friday night when the kid was playing with his three-year-old sister Mehakpreet Kaur inside the house.

The SPO first tried to strangulate Mehakpreet before taking away her brother but later he just pushed her aside, added sources.

At that time, the mother of the kids Rajender Kaur was busy in the kitchen, while her father-in-law had gone outside the house for some work.

When Mehakpreet shouted for help, Rajender came out of the kitchen but the SPO had already fled with her son.

Later, Mehakreet told her mother `Papa da police wala dost veere nu le ke bhaj gaya . (Dad’s friend, who is in police, took away my brother).’

According to SHO concerned Kewal Krishan the exact motive behind the kidnapping was yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, a case of kidnapping has been registered against the SPO, who is absconding.

Claiming that the kidnapped boy will be recovered and the culprit will be put behind bars soon, the SHO said a special team has been set up to tackle the case.

Hoshiarpur, July 12
The union government should formulate a new policy to provide free education, land to the landless and employment to the kin of victims of terrorism as nothing had been done to rehabilitate them in the present set up.

Stating this in a press conference here today, chairman of All India Anti Terrorist Front (AIATF) Maniderjeet Singh Bitta bewailed that terrorism had crept into every nook and cranny of the country for which government and politicians were responsible.

On account of the weak government in Pakistan, ISI posed a serious threat to the people of Indian origin residing across the world, said Bitta.Demanding reservation quota for the kin of terrorism victims in all the universities, either government or private, in the country, Bitta said in case the demand was not fulfilled, he would knock the doors of the high court or Supreme Court of India.

Punjab is suffering on account of infighting among the leaders of political parties and various religions, he said. Due to instability, even the labour class from other states, including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, has been showing disinterest in coming to Punjab. The recent recovery of RDX from various places in Punjab was a clear cut indication of ISI being active in the state. RDX and fire arms were being smuggled through Rajasthan and Nepal to India.

Bitta fully supported the Indo-USA nuclear deal and said it was in favour of the country. Moreover, it would also strengthen the relations between India and US, he said.

Referring to the imposition of a ban on the penning down of their experiences by retired officers of big government agencies like CBI, RAW, IB etc., Bitta said they should be allowed to write their experiences regarding unnecessary interference by politicians during the period of their service. He flayed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly exploiting innocent persons under the garb of religion. — OC