Daughter urges CBI probe into NRI father's abduction
New Delhi, Oct 27, 2004
IANSSeven months after her non-resident Indian (NRI) father Protul Chandra Deb was kidnapped from Assam, Britain-based Sipra Deb Wednesday urged the government for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to find him
Protul Deb, who had contested the Assam assembly polls as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate three years ago, was kidnapped from the northeastern state by members of the United Liberation Front of Barak Valley on March 17.
The 67-year-old, who is the brother-in-law of Assam's Social Welfare Minister Gautam Roy, was on what was supposed to be a brief visit to India.
Holding up her father's picture, Sipra said: "I beseech the people of the country and the authorities to please help me find my father. We are requesting the kidnappers to please make contact. We are not interested in who did this or in bringing them to justice. We just want our father back."
"I am here in India to plead. Pleading is all I have done the past seven months.
"My father is very, very ill. He is a heart patient, and has arthritis in his legs. He needs to be taken back to Britain, where he would get good medical care," she said.
Sipra, who is accompanied by two detectives from South Yorkshire police, is scheduled to meet Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Sunday to ask for a CBI probe.
The research scientist in Sheffield in north Britain would also be meeting Assam's police chief and other key officials.
Protul Deb, a retired government employee, has been living in London for 19 years with his wife Shibani, 57, and daughters Sipra, 32, Deepa, 27, and Pratima, 25.
Sipra said he would come to India "twice to three times a year" as he had invested in some local bamboo projects in Assam and to visit his extended family and aged mother.
On March 17 his car was intercepted at Bhairabi in Assam while he was on his way to one of his factories. His driver and his personal assistant were also overpowered by gunmen who marched them to the hills. However, they were released the next day with a ransom note demanding Rs. 5 million, Sipra said.
"Local police officials said such kidnappings for extortion were rampant in the area. The victim usually returned unhurt, so they encouraged us to give the money," she said, recalling that the money was brought down to Rs. 1 million handed over at a local bus stop on April 2.
Since then, there has been no further communication.
There have been reports that he has been snatched away by other gangs, she said.
"My father had on earlier occasions requested special protection, even at his personal cost but this was denied. Today, the man has been missing for seven months, and all efforts by the local police so far have been fruitless," Sipra said.
The British government, according to her, have been unable to help in the investigations since he is an Indian citizen and the kidnapping took place in India.
However, the two British officers accompanying her would help her with police interactions and decision-making during her stay in the country till Monday.
"We are not seeking to interfere with the work of the Indian police in anyway. Wherever possible, we would be interacting with them informally, to try and get as accurate and timely information as possible and help the family come to terms in case of the tragic possibility of Mr Deb no longer being there," said Matthew Jukes, chief inspector with South Yorkshire police.
Dear NRIs: This is a serious matter for NRIs. It can happen to any one. If we don't get together to fight these kind of cases, this will be general practice by kidnappers in India to make easy money.
Send your opinion- kidnapped@NRIinternet.com
