In a shocking incident, a kidnapping attempt on a one-and-a-half-year-old boy, the son of a police constable, was thwarted by alert of his grandfather along with courageous villagers on Friday night. The incident occurred in the Sukalwada area of Korgaon village at approximately 7:45 p.m.
Two individuals on a motorcycle attempted to abduct the child, but one managed to escape while the other was apprehended by the villagers and handed over to the police. Initial reports indicate that the suspects are from outside the state who know Konkani very well , sparking panic across the Pernem area.
According to the boy's grandmother, Chandrika Vengurlekar, the child was eating an apple alone in the gallery of their house while she was occupied with household chores in another room. Around 7:45 p.m., a man on a motorcycle, wearing a helmet, approached the gallery, grabbed the child, and attempted to flee on the motorcycle. Chandrika, upon realizing what was happening, screamed for help.
The boy's grandfather, Chandrakant Vengurlekar, who was sweeping the courtyard at the time, witnessed the abduction. He had given his grandson an apple and a mobile phone to play with when he saw a man in a helmet and raincoat grabbing the child. Acting swiftly, Chandrakant chased the abductor and struck him with a broom, causing the kidnapper to drop the boy and flee.
Chandrakant’s shouts for help alerted the villagers, who quickly mobilized. One local managed to pull down the kidnapper seated at the back of the motorcycle, while another villager, Bhalchandra Toraskar, pursued the second suspect. Despite the chase, the second kidnapper escaped as Toraskar’s vehicle slowed down.
The captured kidnapper was beaten by the enraged villagers, who discovered a knife in his possession, further escalating their anger. The villagers restrained the suspect with a rope until a team from the Pernem police arrived. The suspect was handed over to the police, with demands from the locals to apprehend the second suspect who had fled. The incident has raised concerns about the lack of fear of law enforcement among criminals in the region.
I had given him an apple and a mobile to watch cartoons. Suddenly, someone came through our open door, grabbed him, and tried to take him away. I chased after him and hit him with a broom, forcing them to drop my grandsonChandrakant Vengurlekar - Grandfather of the child
Goa has become a haven for criminals. The arrested kidnapper speaks fluent Konkani. The police must investigate whether he is from outside or local. People need to be vigilant. If a police constable's son can be targeted, where is the fear of lawDeepak Kalangutkar- Local Leader:
The quick thinking and bravery of the boy’s grandfather and the local villagers were instrumental in preventing a tragic outcome. However, the escape of one suspect has left the police with a daunting task. The incident has amplified fears among residents, who are now questioning whether Goa has become an open field for criminals.
With recent incidents of chain snatching, murders, drug trafficking and other crimes on the rise, locals are demanding more stringent action from law enforcement. “If a police constable’s son can be abducted in an area with two police stations, what does this say about the safety of the rest of us ? ” questioned villagers.