Son of hardware owner abducted

The 19-YEAR-OLD son of a hardware owner was abducted from his workplace at around midday yesterday by two men. Shaban Ramkrishna was at Palmiste General Hardware with his father, Bissoondial, when two men, one armed with a gun, stormed into the hardware store, jumped over the counter and grabbed the teenager. They bundled him into a grey Mazda car and sped away. Bissoondial alerted relatives who contacted the Longdenville Police Post. Officers led by Inspector Burt Raphael, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, Cpl Salick, PC Sheppard and others visited the scene and carried out inquiries. Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) also visited the scene and interviewed relatives and eyewitnesses.

When Newsday contacted relatives of the kidnapped teenager, they said they were advised not to release any information on the matter but admitted that they feared for his safety since he suffers from asthma and the condition is aggravated by stress. Relatives said they were advised by AKS officers to keep the telephone line free in the event the abductors tried to contact them. As word of the abduction spread yesterday, neighbours, relatives and friends gathered at the Ramkrishna home to lend support. As of yesterday, 16 persons have been kidnapped for the year so far. Meanwhile, businessman Prem-anand Dulan, who was kidnapped from his store ten days ago, remains in the hands of kidnappers. His relatives were contacted on Thursday by someone who wanted to know if they had raised the $2 million ransom demanded for his safe release. When relatives said they had not yet raised the money, the caller hung up the phone. Up to yesterday, relatives were awaiting further word from the kidnappers.