Foreign callers worried over Vijay

POLICE probing the kidnapping of ten-year-old Vijay Persad yesterday said they were receiving calls from people as far as the United States of America and Canada, expressing concern over Persad’s snatching, for which a ransom of $300,000 has been demanded. Today marks the 45th day the boy has been in captivity and his disappearance continues to touch persons who have learned of the kidnapping via the Internet or through other means, a senior policeman said. “As late as last week someone called from the States asking about Vijay. The person did not know me nor the family, but just called stating he wanted to lend support,” the officer said. The senior investigator added that the search for the kidnapped boy had not run cold since police were actively pursuing new leads in the investigation. Asked for more information on the leads, the officer declined comment saying giving sensitive information could jeopardise the investigation.

Vijay was kidnapped by two gunmen on June 21 outside his Indian Walk home in Moruga. Vijay and his father Rajkumar were closing the family business — a small grocery which opened last year — when the gunmen demanded to be allowed inside. When the elder Persad did not open the gates, the gun-toting men snatched Vijay, who was standing on the outside of the family home, and ran off. Rajkumar has been trying to raise a $300,000 ransom demand which kidnappers demanded last week in exchange for the young boy’s safe return. The father said he had raised $200,000 so far and was seeking help from the business community to raise the remaining money. Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, as well as Princes Town police, are continuing investigations.