Patna: Hundreds of school students on Friday begged and collected money from commuters to pay the ransom demanded for the release of their fellow-student Bunty, who had been in captivity for the past 25 days. Children appealed to the kidnappers to release their friend.

Bunty, a student of DAV school, was abducted on Januray 17 on the way to school.

The students assembled in-front of the Beur jail and made an emotional appeal to the prisoners for releasing Bunty.

The venue was selected in view of the involvement of prisoners in abductions and other crimes.

The students said they had to beg money to pay the ransom for release of Bunty. Unable to understand why children were becoming soft targets for the kidnappers, Sakshi, a young student, said, ``We are the future of the nation. In which direction is the country moving with the abduction of young children?'' She also expressed fear that the victim might turn into a criminal some day.

``How can we concentrate on study when we are losing our brothers and sisters,'' added Sakshi's friends. The students strongly believed that the abductors would respond to their appeal sympathetically.

Meanwhile, students of different schools took out a silent demonstration on Bailey Road here for the rescue of Bunty.

The students marched on the Main Bailey Road near `Hartali More' and demanded safe rescue of their friend.

``The situation has compelled us to come to the roads, at a time when the examinations are approaching,'' said some of the students.

Students of Notre Dame Academy had formed a human chain on Thursday for the release of Bunty, whose grandmother died last night. Bunty's mother has also been bed-ridden since the abduction of her son and his father was not keeping well.

Steps to curb kidnapping

Meanwhile, Patna town has been divided into nine zones by the police for curbing incidents of kidnapping which had risen at an alarming regularity. Inspector General of Police (Patna zone) Rajbardhan Sharma said that each zone would cover areas under jurisdiction of two police stations.

He said a police officer of the rank of Sub-Inspector (SI) would take care of each zone and the accountability would be fixed on him for each incident of kidnapping taking place in the State Capital.

He said each zone would have six constables who would be provided with vehicles, wireless sets and other modern gadgets.

UNI

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