The Hindu : New Delhi News : Seven-year-old jumps off train to escape abductors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 12, 2007
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New Delhi

Seven-year-old jumps off train to escape abductors

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Seven-year-old Ankit Kumar Rai, now recovering at Fortis Escorts Hospital in neighbouring Faridabad, is no ordinary boy. He jumped off a moving train to escape his abductors, badly injured himself in the process, and then walked across to a nearby slum to find help in the middle of night. His ordeal ended when the slum dwellers took him to the police who in turn got him admitted to hospital on April 8 morning.

According to hospital authorities, Ankit was admitted with injuries on his face and his left arm was badly injured.

"In fact, when the boy fell his left arm was crushed under the wheels of an incoming train.

We operated on him immediately and had to amputate his left arm from below the elbow. He also had deep cuts on his face that required medical attention. He is now out of danger and should be discharged soon,'' said Dr. N. K. Pandey, Executive Director of the Hospital.

Ankit is the youngest son of Lallan Rai, a driver, and was kidnapped by his neighbour for ransom. The local police have arrested one of the accused in the case on the basis of the account given by the boy.

According to the boy's uncle Dhruv Kumar, Ankit despite being in pain told the police all that he could remember.

"Of course he is shaken and also under a lot of pain but his will power and spirit has kept him going. He told us about the torture he had gone through and how he decided to jump off the train when he realised that his abductors were planning to perhaps kill him. He told me that though he was afraid of jumping off the train, he was more afraid of dying,'' said Mr. Kumar.

"While his parents are thrilled and worried at the same time about Ankit, the boy seems to be on the road to recovery. He seems happy and ready to share his adventure with all his friends in school,'' said Mr. Kumar.

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