Kidnappers demand $50,000 for girl’s release

Relatives of 17-year-old kidnap victim, Pavati “Peggy” Maharaj, are pleading with her captors for her safe release.  Maharaj, an Upper Six student of North Eastern College, Sangre Grande, was reportedly kidnapped from her St Marie Emmanuel Road home, Cumuto, on Wednesday evening. Her abductors are demanding a $50,000 ransom for her release and are threatening to kill her if the police intervene.
A report said Maharaj came from school with relatives and they were accosted around 3pm by three gunmen who came into the house.

Police said the men ransacked the house and tied up her mother, Premati, and her brother, Roshan, and waited for her father, Harold, to come home. The kidnappers then placed a gun to Premati’s head and told her to act normal so Harold could enter the house, the report added. The family was beaten by the kidnappers and Harold was ordered to surrender his bank cards. it stated. The kidnappers changed into Harold’s clothing and then escaped in his Toyota Caldera wagon. The family managed to untie themselves and made a report.

Officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad responded and a police helicopter searched the area, to no avail. Snr Supt Stephen Ramsubhag is spearheading investigations. In an interview at the family’s home yesterday Maharaj’s brother, Reynold, said: “I want my sister back.  We want her released.”  He said the kidnappers called around 10 pm on Wednesday and said Maharaj was safe.  He said during the incident his 12-year-old brother, Roshan, was beaten by the kidnappers. He said the kidnappers stole appliances, groceries and other items from the house and also “cleaned out” the fridge.

 He added: “They (kidnappers) were waiting and took everything that could fit in the car. All the groceries and food... they cleared out the fridge. They only left some tins of peas,” he said. He said other relatives were traumatised by the incident. He said his father was a storekeeper and his mother was a housewife.