Sunday, August 10, 2003		Ulta-pulta

BIHAR is famous for lot of things, coal, iron, Laloo Prasad, Rabri Devi and Bihari labour. Bihari labour is mandatory at construction sites in every part of the country. Recently Bihari kidnappers have come into the limelight. If someone wants a kidnapping operation carried out, the kidnappers are sourced from Bihar. With the law and order situation in Bihar deteriorating, it seems as if the local goons have mastered the finer techniques of kidnapping.

The Patna High Court has directed the Bihar Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and DGP to file an affidavit within a week to explain the steps they were taking to put an end to kidnapping and extortion. It will be a tremendous achievement if these highly placed officials can put an end to incidents of kidnapping in the state. But if they can’t, they should appeal to the High Court to legalise this trade. In the process, state revenue can be saved. The Bihar Government should form a new corporation by the name of ‘Kidnapper’s Corporation of Bihar’. Anyone who kidnaps someone and demands ransom will have to deposit 40 per cent of the money thus received in government coffers.

Some policemen are often accused of not nabbing kidnappers. Some others are believed to be in league with the extortionists. The officer who faces the maximum number of such charges should be rightfully appointed chairman of the ‘Kidnapper’s Corporation’.

The ransom money should also be fixed by the government, because many times the extortionists demand crores whereas the victim can only afford to pay in lakhs.

If the corporation has to run well, it should work in close collaboration with the Incomes Tax and Excise authorities. The victim can lie about how much money he has in front of the kidnappers but definitely not in front of the Income Tax officer.