Hindu trader killed in failed kidnapping bid
Hindus may decide on course of action which may embarrass country.
QUETTA:
A Hindu trader was shot dead by his would-be kidnappers in Quetta city centre on Sunday, police said.
Ramesh Kumar was intercepted by a number of armed men riding a car as he was heading towards his general store located in Kandahari Bazaar from Patel Road. When they failed to compel the trader to get in their vehicle despite threats, the criminals opened fire, killing Kumar instantly. The kidnappers managed to escape.
The deceased was taken to the state-run Sandeman Hospital for an autopsy. “The victim received two bullets in his head, which killed him instantly,” hospital officials said.
Police said the incident was a case of kidnapping for ransom.
Minister for Minorities Basant Lal Gulshan condemned the killing and said that the government has failed to protect the life and property of the people belonging to minority groups.
“Over the past three years, three Hindu traders have so far been killed and many have been kidnapped. The prime minister and the chief minister know about the situation, but no concrete steps have so far been taken to remove the prevailing sense of insecurity among the minority groups,” he added.
He warned that if immediate steps were not taken, the Hindus would decide on a course of action, which “may be embarrassing for the province as well as the country”.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2011.
A Hindu trader was shot dead by his would-be kidnappers in Quetta city centre on Sunday, police said.
Ramesh Kumar was intercepted by a number of armed men riding a car as he was heading towards his general store located in Kandahari Bazaar from Patel Road. When they failed to compel the trader to get in their vehicle despite threats, the criminals opened fire, killing Kumar instantly. The kidnappers managed to escape.
The deceased was taken to the state-run Sandeman Hospital for an autopsy. “The victim received two bullets in his head, which killed him instantly,” hospital officials said.
Police said the incident was a case of kidnapping for ransom.
Minister for Minorities Basant Lal Gulshan condemned the killing and said that the government has failed to protect the life and property of the people belonging to minority groups.
“Over the past three years, three Hindu traders have so far been killed and many have been kidnapped. The prime minister and the chief minister know about the situation, but no concrete steps have so far been taken to remove the prevailing sense of insecurity among the minority groups,” he added.
He warned that if immediate steps were not taken, the Hindus would decide on a course of action, which “may be embarrassing for the province as well as the country”.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2011.