Kidnapped hardware owner escapes

KIDNAPPED Central TT hardware owner Davan Bharrathsingh escaped from his kidnappers  yesterday after spending four days tied up in a shed in the Matura forest. According to reports, Bharrathsingh, 34, escaped when his abductors became distracted around 3 pm yesterday. He ran through the bushes and ended up on Adventist Road, Matura. He identified himself to a villager who contacted the police.

The frightened man was handed over to the Matura police who, after questioning him, took him, sniffer dogs, a national security helicopter and personnel from various arms of the Police Service to the scene, on the trail of the abductors. He was then taken to the Sangre Grande District Hospital where he underwent routine checks. Police are to return to the scene this morning to search for more clues. Sources confirmed that despite his nervousness, Bharratsingh appeared to be in good health.

Sources also revealed that he told the police he was slapped  a few times by the kidnappers, who kept inter-changing. They fed him salt biscuits, cheese and water.  He also said his hands and feet were tied, while being gagged during his ordeal. Bharrathsingh was kidnapped on April 2 from the family’s McBean, Couva business place. A $3 million  ransom was demanded, but none was paid. Efforts to contact his family for a comment were futile. Police announced yesterday an anti-kidnapping squad would be set up in Central Trinidad to deal with the rise in abductions of business people in that area. Meanwhile, head of the national Anti-Kidnapping Squad, ASP Adam Joseph, has reportedly resigned to take up an appointment with an oil company.