THE downside of cellular technology is evident from the rise in cases of kidnapping in Karachi. The connection between the two lies in the kidnappers using cellphones to make calls to their victims’ families and demanding ransom. Not only is it difficult to trace a call from a cellphone, but with the unregulated sale of SIM cards it is hard to ascertain the identity of the cellphone owner. According to a story in this newspaper on Friday, the CPLC’s success rate in tackling kidnapping cases stood at 75 per cent in 2003 whereas today that figure has dropped to 70 per cent. The chief of the CPLC blames this on the fact that so many criminals get cellphone connections on fake identity papers; one estimate has it that 0.75 million SIM cards have been issued on fake papers. However, this is only one aspect of the problem. Despite tracking down a few members of a gang early this year, their organisation is still active. Another gang which kidnaps people and takes them to the tribal areas of the Frontier is also at large even though the provincial home department’s assistance has been sought in the matter. It clearly calls for a different strategy.
It is not just a few gangs known to the police that threaten people’s safety in Karachi. There are numerous incidents of people being held hostage in their cars and made to pay for their freedom. Such crime must be dealt with now before it reaches the alarming proportions it once did in 1990 when 79 cases were reported. The police, the CPLC and the Anti-Violent Crime Cell are working together in this regard but will need to step
up efforts, as well as coordinate with relevant departments, to find the men behind these heinous crimes and ensure that they are caught and punished.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/09/ed.htm
It is not just a few gangs known to the police that threaten people’s safety in Karachi. There are numerous incidents of people being held hostage in their cars and made to pay for their freedom. Such crime must be dealt with now before it reaches the alarming proportions it once did in 1990 when 79 cases were reported. The police, the CPLC and the Anti-Violent Crime Cell are working together in this regard but will need to step
up efforts, as well as coordinate with relevant departments, to find the men behind these heinous crimes and ensure that they are caught and punished.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/09/ed.htm
Kidnapping
THIS has reference to the letter written by S. Ausaf Hussain (June 14), who has carefully listed all the guidelines for a person about the do’s and don’ts of being a kidnap victim. His input is highly appreciated, for such guidelines are important in the state of uncertainty we live in.
There is no surety of our well-being and an air of tension surrounds us whenever one of our loved ones is never home on time or fails to respond to their cellphones.
I would further like to advise people not to use cellphones while they are driving or when their cars stop at the signal. This attracts kidnappers who assume such people to be rich and able to pay huge ransom payments. An acquaintance of mine was kidnapped while chatting on his cellphone and recovered three months later. The family went through sheer torture and agony.
FARYAL NAEEM WARIND
Karachi
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/20/letted.htm#5
THIS refers to the report, ‘Surge in kidnapping for ransom cases’, by S. Raza Hassan (June 8) and your editorial, ‘Rise in kidnapping’ (June 9). The report has focused on Karachi only whereas kidnapping for ransom is on the rise in other cities of the country as well, at a much higher rate than in Karachi.
Kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative business for criminals throughout the world. The crime of kidnapping is usually committed against those individuals who fail to recognise their vulnerability to criminal confrontations or lack threat awareness and are ill-prepared to deal with the crime of kidnapping. Kidnapping literally means to carry off a person or persons by force or fraud in order to obtain a ransom. However, there may be other motives of kidnapping which include rape, murder, personal enmity, religious or political aim.
Being kidnapped is one of the most difficult and dangerous experiences. Victims are uncertain about their fate as to what will happen to them. They are not sure if they will be tortured or even killed while held hostage.
Kidnap victims are usually mistreated in the initial stage to bring them under control quickly. Verbal abuse and death threats are also given. A victim who can tolerate and remain calm will be successful. Once a victim under control and initial onslaught is over, he can expect reasonable treatment from his captors if he or she remains passive.
Women victims are always prone to being raped or sexually abused by their captors at any stage. Kidnappers are often nervous and excited during the initial stages of kidnapping. They want to succeed by any means to fulfil their mission. In such circumstances if the victim tries to resist or escape, the kidnapper can kill him. Any attempt at heroics will certainly result in victim’s death.
However, people should also know how to behave if they become hostage to a kidnapper and to survive under a hostage situation. Hostage survival is not a pleasant affair, but careful planning and behaviour as to how to react in such a situation can reduce stress and anxiety. A prisoner is a burden on the hostage -taker. He or she must be constantly guarded, fed and provided hygienic care. Kidnappers keep their victim alive for the sake of getting their ransom demands, but if their demands are not met or the police raid their hideout, they can kill their victims. Here are some suggestions which can be followed:
a. Hostages should not resist or attempt to fight back at the time of abduction unless they feel that success is sure.
b. Remain calm, time is on your side, the longer the incident lasts the greater the chances for getting away.
c. Cooperate with the kidnappers and follow their instructions to the best of your ability.
d. Avoid provocation, do not threaten or curse them.
e. Evaluate the situation and think intelligently and avoid panic or a foolish escape.
f. Hide yourself behind some hard cover if you notice that the police are rescuing you, as you may be injured or killed in the crossfire between the police and kidnappers.
g. If the captivity extends, hostages should try to look after their health and physical welfare by taking whatever food is provided by the kidnappers and by setting some indoor physical exercises. This will enable them to be physically fit and make them able to escape if a chance occurs.
h. Hostage should ask their captors to provide the medicine, which is a must for them if they are suffering from any disease which they require regularly to save their lives.
i. Be observant and mentally alert even if blindfolded.
There is a need to make the people aware regarding preventive measures against kidnapping and how to react under hostage situation. Merely publishing statistics of kidnapping incidents and telling reasons of declining rates of success in solving kidnapping for ransom cases will not be of any help to the people.
S.AUSAF HUSAIN
Karachi
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/14/letted.htm#5
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