Dhanera observes bandh to protest abduction of local boy

Palanpur: Dhanera town in Banaskantha district observed a complete bandh on Tuesday to protest the failure of police to locate a five-year-old boy who was abducted a fortnight ago from the town.
Around 4,000 people took out a quiet rally and submitted a memorandum to sub divisional magistrate (SDM) urging him to intervene in the matter. Balwant Rao, father of the kidnapped child said that he was unable to figure why his boy was abducted."It is difficult to find the reason for the abduction as I don't have animosity with anyone," said Rao who is a Congress leader. However, he expressed doubts that political rivalry could have led to the crime.
Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Banaskantha SJ Patel said the matter is being probed by local crime branch. "If the court permits we will carry out lie detection tests on the suspects that are detained in the matter," he said.
The Congress is planning to intensify the protests if the abducted child is not recovered soon. "A delegation of six persons including Patan MP Jadish Thakore, two MLAs Joitabhai Patel and Mahesh Patel along with Tina Patel who is vice president of local civic body met minister of state for home Rajanikant Patel on Monday. He assured us that the case would be handed over to criminal investigation department (CID) to hand over the case to CID if there is not expected progress in the matter," said Zakir Chauhan, district Congress president.