The news of kidnapping of an Indian-origin family of four, including an 8-month-old child, in the US state of California, has left their relatives back home here in a state of shock. Jasdeep Singh, 36, his 27-year-old wife Jasleen Kaur, their infant daughter Aroohi Dheri, and Jasdeep’s brother Amandeep Singh, 39, were kidnapped in California’s Merced city on Monday, according to media reports.
Jasdeep’s parents Dr Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur are natives of village Harsi Pind in Tanda block of Hoshiarpur. Charanjit Singh, a neighbour of Randhir Singh, said that the Jasdeep’s parents were in a state of shock and not in a position to talk. Randhir Singh and Kirpal Kaur retired from the health and education departments, respectively.
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According to Charanjit Singh, Randhir Singh returned to India from abroad on September 29. Upon arrival, he left for a pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. When he reached Rishikesh, he received a call from daughter-in-law Jaspreet Kaur from the US who told him about the incident of kidnapping of her husband Amandeep Singh and other family members. After knowing about the incident, Randhir Singh came back to his village on Tuesday evening, and is preparing to leave for the US Tuesday night, his neighbour said.
Meanwhile, the people of Harsi Pind and its adjoining villages rushed to the house of Randhir Singh to support the family and prayed for the safe return of the kidnapped persons to their home, said Charanjit Singh. He further claimed that Union minister and Hoshiarpur MP Som Parkash had also telephoned Randhir Singh and assured him of full support from the central government. Tanda Deputy Superintendent of Police Kulwant Singh said that he had also visited the house of Dr Randhir Singh and assured full support to him.
The Indian-origin family from Central Valley was kidnapped at a business in Merced County, California, on Monday. The California police warned that the suspect was armed and considered dangerous, according to media reports.