Patna: In a twist that seemed straight out of a crime thriller, the bustling streets of a Madhepura village turned into the backdrop of a high-stakes drama as eight-year-old Mayank Ranjan, a UKG student, was brazenly kidnapped on his way to school on Tuesday. The school bus had barely picked up Mayank at 6am from Fulaut locality under Chausa police station when four motorcycle-borne criminals intercepted it at a deserted stretch. Armed and intimidating, they overpowered the driver, seized the boy and sped away, leaving dozens of his young schoolmates in shock. The boy, however, was rescued within six hours by the police.
"The news spread like wildfire," said a senior police officer, describing how panicked students and parents began piecing together the nightmare. "Some children managed to call their families from a phone and soon enough, the police were alerted," he added.
With a quick mobilisation, the Madhepura police swung into action, launching an intense manhunt that spanned borders and towns. As the rescue operation unfolded, Madhepura SP Sandeep Singh personally coordinated efforts.
"We safely recovered the boy from near the Khagaria border within six hours," the SP said, his voice layered with relief and pride. "The dedication of our team has been exceptional, ensuring the boy's return to his family," he added.
Pressure mounted on the kidnappers as news of the abduction spread. With police hot on their trail, the assailants eventually abandoned Mayank along the Madhepura-Khagaria border and vanished into the morning mist. "Many of us had not even had a moment to freshen up," another officer recounted, reflecting on the single-minded focus of the team.
For Mayank's family, the return was a godsend, described as a Diwali miracle. "It is impossible to put our joy into words," said his uncle Prashant Kumar, his voice barely containing the relief. "We were all on edge about his fate. It is like a gift from the heavens," he added. The family waited anxiously as the final paperwork was completed, knowing he would soon be back in their arms.
The unfolding details only added to the intrigue — one student aboard the bus had recognised one of the unmasked kidnappers, a critical lead that pointed the police in the right direction. "The kidnap attempt was likely for ransom, but the pressure was so intense they could not even make a ransom call," Prashant added. With a suspect quickly detained, the police chased down the remaining clues that ultimately led to Mayank's safe recovery.
Two suspects are now in custody, their plans foiled by a quick police response and the sharp eyes of a young witness, bringing a sigh of relief to people rattled by the day's events.
(With inputs from Deo Narayan Saha in Madhepura)