Abduction of girl sparks protest in AJK capital

MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 9: A complete strike paralysed the Muzaffarabad city on Friday against the abduction of a university student. Thousands of people from all walks of life took part in demonstrations.

However, the abducted girl was recovered by police within four hours from Bagh district and later reunited with the family, officials said.

Maryam Banday, an MSc Economics student in the AJK University was on way to the campus with her brother when, a man reported to be from Lahore and his two accomplices riding in a white Honda City, kidnapped her at around 9am.

According to eye witness accounts, the accused who were wielding weapons dragged the girl inside the car and threw red chilly powder in the eyes of her brother who offered resistance.

“One of them initially could not get into the car and ran behind wielding a mouser pistol. After few yards the car stopped to pick him up and sped away,” a shopkeeper who watched the scene from a distance told Dawn.

“Since they were in possession of weapons none dared to confront the trio,” he admitted.

Source: Dawn

Date:2/10/2007