Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Rag pickers, ice cream vendors and those selling clothes, fruit, vegetables and supplying sweets and confectioneries to mohalla shops can be hardened kidnappers.

A horrendous incident of child abduction that occurred a few days back has stunned the police and security agencies. An ice cream vendor was selling ice cream while riding on his motorcycle in Reemana, an adjoining area of Hari Pur. In the meantime a tractor trolley turned up and tractor driver hit the tractor with the wall to save him.

The dust lying in the trolley was spilled out and scattered on the road. In the meantime this ice cream vendor tried to drive his motorcycle to the heap of dust to make his way out and he fell therein. He was lying on the heap of dust when a snake came out of the heap and stung the vendor. He fell unconscious.

A large number of people assembled there. An ambulance was called. One person standing there said that the unconscious vendor should be served water. As water was not available there then the ice box of the ice cream seller was opened in search for water. It stunned all of them to see that a 4-year baby was found in the box who was lying unconscious therein.

The child was connected to an oxygen cylinder and had fainted. His arms were tied with his body. Police was called and the child was shifted to hospital. The ice cream vendor was also taken to district hospital Haripur . According to a doctor, the snake poison had spread completely in his body. Therefore, he died.

Police reached the conclusion that balloons, toys and confectionary vendors and those wandering in streets to purchase old and used utensils and newspapers can be instrumental in the heinous crime of kidnapping. Senior doctor and child psychologist Dr Afzal Hussain Shah told daily Times that children become intimate easily and soon therefore, the kidnappers in the guise of vendors entice them easily by offering them sweets or biscuits.

Syed Afzal Hussain advised the parents to keep a watch on the movement and company of their children. They should strictly ask their children to stay away from strangers, and children should be discouraged to go outside the home.

Child expert Dr Zulfiqar Ghauri told daily Times that the medicines which induce unconsciousness are easily available in the market at all medical stores. Oxygen cylinders and masks are also available at every medical store. Therefore, this business should be regulated through proper legislation. The druggists should ensure before selling the medicines and equipment that these are used properly.

The parents should strictly forbid their children from accepting anything from any male or female whom they don’t know and if any stranger forces them to take such things then they should inform their parents immediately.