‘I posed as a Muslim’

Kidnap victim Davan Bharrathsingh, who escaped from kidnappers after spending five days in a shack in the middle of the Matura Forest, yesterday said his life was spared because he fooled his abductors into believing he was a Muslim. Bharrathsingh, 34, a Hindu, said the men who snatched him last Saturday showed no mercy. They threatened him with death if he did not divulge how much money his parents had, and also threatened to wipe out his entire family if he refused to cooperate. He was beaten, fed water sparingly, and given crix biscuits to eat while bound and gagged, and guarded round-the-clock by men who prayed in Arabic and appeared to be devout Muslims. The kidnappers told him if the ransom was not paid, he should prepare to meet his maker.

The hardware owner said when he realised their threats were serious he was able to convince them that he was a Muslim. He told them he was living with a Muslim woman, and had converted to Islam. This worked and the abductors softened their stand. They told him if they knew he was a Muslim he would never have been abducted, but stuck to their demand that a ransom had to be paid. According to Bharrathsingh, as the days went by, he thought his suffering would never end. On Wednesday around 3.30 pm, while inside the shack, he heard noises and saw his kidnappers fleeing the scene. He managed to untie himself and walked several miles out of the Matura Forest until he reached  Adventist Road, Matura. He sought  help from a man who happened to be a pastor.

Bharrathsingh identified himself to the pastor and his wife, who offered him a meal of macaroni pie, stewed chicken and a glass of milk. He was then taken to the Matura Police Station and handed over to PC Rojas, who contacted his mother Surujdaye, 50. His elated mother, who had neither eaten nor slept since her son was abducted, was later re-united with Davan.  He was treated by two doctors who said that he was suffering from shock. When he arrived at his Edinburgh home Wednesday night, he was met by friends and relatives who clapped as he made his way to his home. His mother placed a mala (Hindu word for garland) around his neck.

He was then blessed by a pundit, and later took a bath. But the episode has left him a nervous wreck, jumping at any loud noise. Davan is happy to be back home and is considering whether to return to his businessplace at Mcbean Village in Couva, or return to Canada where he was born. He said he loves Trinidad, but is afraid for the safety of his family. The Canadian Embassy contacted him yesterday and promised assistance in securing counselling for him if he should decide to travel to Canada. His mother who plans to have a Hindu prayer meeting over the weekend,  is also considering  returning to Canada.

In the meantime special security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that members of her family are protected. She described the authorities as impotent in dealing with the spate of crime and kidnappings in the country. Bharrathsingh was kidnapped on April 2 from his family’s McBean, Couva businessplace. A $3 million ransom was demanded. Newsday learnt that relatives of Bharrathsingh paid a small ransom to the kidnappers. Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad returned to the Matura Forest yesterday and found the shack where Bharrathsingh was kept hostage. They were able to get fingerprints from the shack and told Newsday that arrests are imminent. Sgt Joseph Isaac is heading investigations.