The family of businessman Viticharan Singh, who was rescued from kidnappers on Saturday, has praised the army and police saying that they did more than what the public was expecting from them.
A spokesman for the family has also confirmed that they had been contacted by the kidnappers for a ransom but had stayed silent on this for fear that harm would come to Singh.
The 55-year-old Singh was yesterday in seclusion and not prepared to speak on his ordeal.
According to a family member, "in the past whenever someone was kidnapped it was left to that person's family to rescue that person by paying a ransom or do something else but this time around both the army and police really tried and did a good job."
The Mahaica businessman was freed on Saturday during an army/police operation at about 10:48 am. He was found in a house on Company Road, Buxton, eight yards south of the railway embankment.
The family member confessed that the family had indeed heard from Singh's abductors even though they had denied this all along. According to the relative it was a tactic they were forced to adopt upon instructions from the kidnappers who had warned them not to say
anything to the media and the security forces.
Stabroek News understands that the businessman has since returned home after being treated at a city hospital and is said to be in good health and resting comfortably. Relatives said he has been spending most of his time since being released with his family. Asked whether Singh will continue his business, the family member declared, "Where are we going to run to, this is where we grew up." The family member noted that their business is their only means of sustenance hence they are left with no other choice than to continue.
Yesterday scores of close relatives and friends were seen converging at the business home.
Singh's son was overjoyed at the rescuing of his father. He said since last week Tuesday when the businessman was kidnapped, yesterday was the first day he had anything substantial to eat. He noted that his mother who had fallen ill after the kidnapping was now recovering. The man said that his father was still traumatised by the incident and was being counselled.
Stabroek News was told that Singh has given a detailed report on everything that transpired from Tuesday last to Saturday to the army and police.
Singh, a businessman of De Hoop, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara was snatched in the late afternoon in front of his business place as he was going to the rescue of his wife who was being attacked by one of four men. Two of the men then turned their attention to Singh and bundled him into a dark blue Marino and sped away with him in the direction of the city. The car was later intercepted at Triumph with only the driver who said he was hijacked by the men. The police took the driver and his vehicle into custody.
In the police/army raid that freed Singh, two other men were taken into custody. (Nigel Williams)