Family still awaiting word on kidnapped businessman
Stabroek News
May 16, 2003
The family of 55-year-old, De Hoop businessman, Viticharan Singh, who was abducted by armed men on Tuesday, is hoping and praying that he is still alive despite having had no word from his kidnappers.
A joint army/police patrol carried out a raid in Buxton yesterday morning in a bid to rescue Singh who was said to have been in captivity in a house there. A search turned up nothing and later three men shot and killed Lance Corporal, Shemton Dodson. The army returned fire and killed two of the three men. (See story on page 3.)
When Stabroek News visited Singh’s family yesterday, scores of neighbours were in front of the businessman’s gate awaiting word. Singh’s wife continued to feel unwell yesterday and his son who had chased after the men in a car was too distraught to speak. Close relatives said since the abduction there had been nightly vigils at the businessman’s home.
While relatives said they found it strange that no one had called they were optimistic that he was still alive.
Business at Singh’s liquor and grocery store has since been put on hold and residents in the area have been keeping watch at night.
Singh was snatched in front of his business place when he was about to intervene on behalf of his wife who was being robbed by one of four men. Two other men then turned their attention to Singh, bundled him into a dark blue Marino car and sped away in the direction of the city. It is believed that the abductors might be holding him somewhere between Mahaica and Triumph.
Singh, a father of one, who had been operating his business for some 25 years, is said to be a very quiet person. Relatives said that his kidnapping came as a surprise since he was never threatened before.
Residents believe Singh’s abduction was well planned and it seemed as if the perpetrators were briefed on his habits.
It was at about 5:55 pm when the men pulled up in front of the businessman’s gate. He was at the time checking off stocks.
Eyewitnesses said when the men arrived on the scene one of them rushed into the store, where he robbed Singh’s wife of an undisclosed sum of cash, and then grabbed a few cellular phones and other articles. It was reported that on seeing this, Singh left the truck and was going to his wife’s rescue when a second man who was sitting in the car, shouted out “Look he deh deh! Look he deh deh! Hold he!”
The men tried to tie up the businessman who resisted but he was later subdued after he was shown their handguns. The gang left and the car was intercepted at Triumph but without Singh and the kidnappers. The police have since taken the driver and the car into custody. (Nigel Williams)
