Kidnapped engineer escapes from captivity

Lakhisarai (Bihar), Feb 6 (PTI) A junior engineer ofthe rural development department Ram Sakal Gupta, who waskidnapped for ransom yesterday, gave his abductors the slipafter spending a night in captivity today.

Gupta, posted at Hilsa block, was kidnapped fromFatehpur village in Lakhisarai district last evening,Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjeet Mishra said.

The abductors took him to the nearby Kunder forest anddemanded a ransom of Rs one crore for his safe release, Mishrasaid, adding that Gupta somehow managed to free himself andreached his office.

He was taken to the government hospital for check upas he was beaten up by the kidnappers, the SP said.

A manhunt was launched to arrest the abductors. PTICORR KDK