HUBBALLI: Tears were rolling down the cheeks of Martin Iniyappanavar when he was reunited with his kidnapped three-year-old son Michael at Amulya Child Care in Ghantikeri on Sunday.
The rescued boy ran towards his father screaming ‘appa’ (father) and hugged him tightly. His mother Megha too joined the father and son.
Michael was kidnapped by some miscreants from near his house in Veerabhadreshwar Colony on Saturday evening when he was playing outside.
His mother Megha had gone to a market asking neighbour Laxmi to take care of him. Laxmi, who was cleaning vessels, went inside to fetch water.
When Laxmi returned, she found the boy missing. She immediately started searching for the boy and informed his parents.
The parents with the help of other neighbours searched for the boy in the surrounding areas but in vain. On Saturday night, the anxious parents approached Vidyanagar police where they filed a case of kidnapping.
The boy was left abandoned in Vajpayee Nagar in Tarihal area. The residents noticed the boy standing on the side of the road crying. One of them took the boy to his residence and offered him milk and food. The residents then informed child helpline (1098) and handed him over to the staff of the helpline around 10.30 pm.
The helpline staff with the help of rural police admitted him to Amulya Child Care around 12.30 pm. The Vidyanagar police confirmed the identity of the boy and informed the parents on Sunday afternoon.
Martin Iniyappanavar is a labourer in APMC and Megha is a homemaker. They have three children, two boys and a girl. Michael is their second child.
“I have no words to describe this joy. Why did someone kidnap my son, I am a labourer. The boy is safe. The police should take action against the culprits,” said Martin.