$200,000 ransom paid

Palmiste teenager Shirvan Ramkrishna, who was kidnapped from a hardware store belonging to his father on Sunday, was freed by kidnappers early yesterday after the family paid $200,000 in ransom. The 19-year-old was released in Curepe around 1 am and was up until late yesterday resting comfortably at his Palmiste home. The teenager was  unharmed. He told police officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad that after being bundled into a car on Sunday, he was kept in the back seat of the vehicle, and then placed in another vehicle.

He was unable to say where he was taken. He was kept blindfolded from Sunday until yesterday. Ramkrishna claimed that he was given a change of clothing and fed soft drinks and biscuits. On Monday night, the kidnappers telephoned Bisoondial Ramkrishna, the father of the kidnap victim and ordered that he pay a $2 million ransom for the safe return of his son. Newsday learnt that on Tuesday, the businessman negotiated with the kidnappers. The kidnappers agreed on Wednesday to settle for $200,000.

On Wednesday night, the money was dropped off along the East/West Corridor and Shirvan was released. He was picked up in Curepe by relatives who took him to his Palmiste home. Yesterday, he remained indoors and slept for most of the day. He is yet to give a detailed statement to officers of the AKS. Relatives told Newsday they were happy that Shirvan was back home and were grateful that he was not beaten or injured in any way. Bisoondial Ramkrishna, the father of the victim, said yesterday that he did not wish to comment on the release of his son.