The Kidnapping

It was Choti Diwali, one day prior to Diwali. A five-year-old girl, Sonam, lived with her mom, dad & 2 elder brothers in Army Colony. Her father was an army officer. Once her father was on duty.

Since it was festive season, Sonam's mamaji has come to celebrate the festival with her family. Sonam's Mom thought to prepare some food for him but mamaji said, "There is pain in my tooth. I will prefer just bread".

 

Sonam's mom said to her 2 brothers to bring bread for mamji. Brothers, out of concern, did not took Sonam as she was youngest of them, and they cared for their sister a lot.

Sonam was playing in her room. Walking towards the kitchen she went near her mom & enquired about her brothers. Mom said, "Your brothers have gone to get chocolates for you from shopping complex." Sonam said, " I will also go to the shopping complex". Her mom smiled & said "Ok go but be careful." The shopping complex was very near & children often went there to enjoy. 

As Sonam was moving towards the complex, she thought her brothers could not have gone far away. There was more than one way to reach the complex from Sonam's home. Sonam followed one of the ways & reached the complex. Reaching there she asked shopkeeper, "Did my brothers come here"? Shopkeepers Said, "Yes they came here few minutes ago. They took bread from me & just left".

Listening to the shopkeeper, Sonam was angry as her brothers did not take her with them & did not even wait for her at the shop. As there were many ways back to the home, Sonam thought her brothers might have returned through the highway. Sonam also started walking towards the highway. Since there was heavy traffic on the highway, Sonam started walking thorough nearby grass, keeping on the safe side.

Suddenly one unidentified man came near her & said, "Why are you walking on grass little girl? Please come on main road." Sonam saw a black fat man talking to her. Sonam got scared. She did not say anything and just moved on. That man started following Sonam. Initially Sonam thought that out of concern that man was taking to her & she continued walking on the main road & came to main bus stand.

The man following her shouted, "Hey girl please listen". Sonam went near him. That man grabbed Sonam & said, "I am your dad's friend". Sonam said, "But I don't know you. I never saw you with my father". The stranger said, "Me and your dad come back home late in the night. Our job is like that & by that time, you are asleep". Sonam said, "Maybe you are right, but I don't know you." 

The stranger asked what Sonam is doing there. Sonam said the full story. The stranger said, "Don't you need crackers, it's Diwali. Come with me, I will purchase crackers for you".

Sonam was excited about crackers, but she remembered that her mom always tells to be away from strangers. She said, "My father has brought enough crackers for me. I don't need.". Man said, "Ok let us purchase chocolates". Sonam was in dilemma, she said, "Chocolate will spoil my teeth, I don't need." Man said, "Ok I will take you to flower garden." Sonam thought why the man was forcing her unnecessarily. May me he his wrong person.

Sonam was an intelligent girl. She thought that if she reacts forcefully, people will think that the stranger is his dad & the girl is naughty. Sonam said, "I don't know you. Why are you forcing me to purchase these things. Please let me go home." 

Now that stranger was becoming angry. He forcefully grabbed Sonam's hand & started moving fast. Nearby passengers thought that she is a naughty girl & not listening to her dad. Out of fear, this sweet little 5-year-old girl was fearful asking for help also. That man forcefully started taking Sonam by her arms. She was crying.

Sonam realised that nobody is understanding her feelings. She thought that she will have to get rid of this grim situation herself. Sonam got some courage & bit the hand of the person severely. The pain of the bite was so severe that the man immediately left Sonam's hand.

 Sonam immediately ran fast. The stranger also followed. But Sonam ran non- stop till she reached her home. As she reached at the main door, she was crying & gasping for air. Listening to her cry, her mom rushed towards the door. She saw Sonam sweating & her face expression was full of fear. Her mom asked what the matter was. But Sonam was not able to speak a single word & she was just crying. He mom made her sit & immediately brought her some water to drink. After drinking water, she got relaxed & told entire story to her mother. Listening to the story Sonam's Mothers was very angry. She started rebuked her brothers, " Both of you are elder brothers. You have no care for your sister. Anything could have happened to my daughter". Her mother started crying. All 3 of the kids were small children. Seeing their mother & sister in pain, both in innocent brothers also started crying. 

Seeing them crying, the mother hugged all 3 of them & said, "Don't cry. All 3 of you are apple of my eyes. Sonam is youngest among you. And being responsible elder brothers, you should always take care of her & never leave her alone."

Mom looked at Sonam & thought, "All because of my teachings, my girl is safe today. I am actually proud to have such understanding children." 

 In the evening Sonam's dad came back home. Sonam rushed towards her dad, hugged him tight & started crying. Sonam's dad asked what happened. Sonam's mom explained everything to him. Sonam's dad said," Only God has saved our daughter. 4 boys from our colony got kidnapped today. My entire department is in tension." Sonam was listening quietly. 

 

Her mom said, " Today your girl could also have been kidnapped. Just because of our teachings, she is safe." 

Sonam's father looks at her & hugged her fondly. Sonam was crying. Her said, "Ok, get ready all of you. We will go to the shopping complex right now. I will purchase crackers & sweets for my children. Forget everything".

Sonam's dad took entire family to the shopping complex. Sonam enjoyed a lot. That evening she got everything she desired, chocolates, pastries, ice-cream everything. She was feeling very happy.

Looking at her smile her parents were satisfied that the bad memories of the incidence are now gone out of her mind.  

But Sonam's father was not satisfied. What happened with her daughter, he did not want any other child to face the same situation. Next day he went to the unit & immediately started a search operation. Force was aligned all over the colony & secret operation was conducted to get the real crux of the matter. Afterall how could kidnapers enter high security area.

Later it was found that the nearby park was open for everyone & civilians were also allowed to come. Sonam's father got a sketch artist & told Sonam to help them in sketching the faces of the culprits. Since it was a horrible encounter, Sonam remembered everything & sketch artists were able to draw the exact faces of the kidnappers.

Army men in disguise scattered throughout the colony. One day, same culprits tried to kidnap a small little boy from the same park. But the forces were alert & both the criminals were arrested. Both the criminals were taken under custody. Further, they were treated so badly that they were forced to reveal the truth. They were terrorist's agents and were involved in secretly sharing secret information to them. Along with that they had kidnapped small children also.

All the information of their hideout were drawn & all their secret places were attacked. Major information regarding anti- India activities got reveled & the terrorists were sent to Army Prison.

Sometimes what is visible to the eyes, it is not true. What was considered as kidnapping, it was an anti-national activity.