False radio reports

Police officers investigating the kidnapping of ten-year-old Vijay Persad are appealing to media houses to be “selective and responsible” in their reporting. A senior officer said several reports were broadcast on some radio stations that claimed that Persad was dead and his body was found in the forests in Moruga. He said a radio station yesterday morning carried a report that they received a telephone call that Vijay’s body was found at Edward Trace, Moruga. “This is causing unnecessary tension. It is having a telling effect on all those concerned,” he added.

The officer said the police were feverishly trying to find Vijay and were therefore probing any lead “be it a hoax or not.” “The officers are working night and day and some of them are like walking zombies. These hoax reports are putting extra strain on the officers,” he added. He said Vijay’s parents were traumatised, especially his mother. Yesterday marked the 21st day that Vijay has been in the hands of kidnappers. His abductors, who demanded a $.5 million ransom, have stopped communicating with Vijay’s family.