Kidnap cases on the rise: Home Minister

Hyderabad, Feb 16 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Home Minister K Jana Reddy today said cases of kidnapping had increased in the state, with 514 cases resistered in 2007 compared to 379 in 2006 and 352 in 2005.

Replying to a question by Congress MLC G Rudra Raju in the Legislative Council, Mr Reddy said about 80 per cent of the cases were, however, solved. Efforts were made for the cancellation of bail for kidnappers and filing of chargesheets against them was done within the stipulated time, he added.

Stating that the government had taken up a media sensitisation programme for the school authorities, parents and traffic police to prevent kidnapping he said the police department would use modern technology to locate the criminals involved in the offence, ensuring early detection.

Police patrolling had been intensified during school hours at school zones in urban areas to prevent kidnappings, Mr Reddy informed , adding that the list of professional kidnappers in the country would soon be publicised by the state CID department.

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