By IANS,
Lucknow : All industrial units in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur district Wednesday announced an indefinite strike to protest the kidnapping and murder of the minor son of an industrialist.
Sajal Sadana, 16, was kidnapped on Jan 26 from Saharanpur, some 570 km from state capital Lucknow. The boy’s father, Vipin Sadana, owns a plastic pipe manufacturing factory – Krishna Pipes.
After getting a ransom call from the kidnappers, who demanded Rs.3 million, the industrialist immediately informed the police. However, police officials were unable to trace Sajal and his body was found dumped in Dhamola river in the town in a jute bag Feb 2.
“All industries here have decided to remain shut indefinitely to demand justice for Sajal. We have given the police a week to catch the men who killed my son,” Vipin told IANS on phone.
The autopsy report revealed that Sajal was killed barely 24 hours after he was kidnapped.
Vipin said the kidnappers remained in touch with him through Sajal’s mobile phone for a few days and this was also brought to the notice of the police. After that, the kidnappers switched off the phone and began using another number.
“The police had all the details but failed to save Sajal. We are protesting against it,” said Shusheel Sadana, president of the Indian Industries Association (IIA).
As per official records, there are over 6,000 registered and 3,500 operational industrial units in Saharanpur.
“We are the highest revenue payers in the state and still we are not safe. The police kept claiming that they have the location of the criminals yet they failed to save Sajal. This reflects the lethargic attitude of the police and the state government,” claimed Sadana.
However, the police claim to have vital clues regarding the criminals.
“We were not laying our hands on the criminals only for the safety of the boy. However, we have vital clues and hope to nab the killers within two days,” Superintendent of Police Saharanpur Amit Chandra told IANS on phone.
The IIA also plans a state-wide agitation in the coming days.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) two businessmen were found murdered in Lucknow. Such incidents reflect the adverse investment climate in the state. In order to restore the faith of the industries in law enforcement agencies, the government must ensure a safe environment for us,” said IIA executive director D.S. Verma.
Nandram and Dharmendra, wholesale suppliers of garments, were found hacked to death in their godown in the Sarojini Nagar locality of Lucknow. A huge amount of cash and manufactured garments were found missing from the godown.