Darjeeling MP Raju Bista slams WB government over kidnapping of 14-year-old boy in Sevoke

In North Bengal, a 14-year-old boy, Ishan Gurung was abducted in broad daylight near 10th Mile Forest Village in Sevoke, under Kurseong Sub-division on August 23. The boy’s parents, Sunita Ghale and Kishor Gurung, have been living in distress since the incident, while anger has spread among local residents over what they say is a slow and inadequate response from the police and administration.

According to locals, the kidnapping took place in the afternoon hours, sending shockwaves through the area. Outraged by the lack of immediate action, residents resorted to blocking a portion of National Highway 10, demanding urgent police intervention and concrete steps to trace the child. The road blockade reflected growing frustration in the community over rising incidents of crime and the perceived indifference of the state government.

Darjeeling MP and BJP National Spokesperson Raju Bista strongly criticized the West Bengal government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, under whose Home Department law and order falls. In a press statement issued on Monday, Bista said the abduction of a minor in broad daylight is not only a tragedy for one family but a wake-up call for all families in North Bengal.

“This is not just about one child. It is about the safety of every child in our state. The people are outraged because the police and administration have been extremely slow in their reaction. North Bengal is bleeding, and the West Bengal Government is asleep,” Bista said.

He pointed out that this was an unprecedented incident in the hills, noting that such kidnappings were never reported in the region in the past. Bista further questioned whether the “rapidly changing demography” of the region, which he said was diluting the indigenous population, could be contributing to the rise in crime.

In recent months, North Bengal has witnessed several high-profile crimes, including two major human trafficking attempts that were foiled, along with broad-daylight robberies targeting jewellery shops and ATMs. “Now, with a 14-year-old child kidnapped, the situation has reached a critical point, yet the Home Department has not even reacted,” Bista remarked.

He demanded that the Chief Minister immediately constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to trace the child and bring him back safely. “Enough is enough – find Ishan now. The WB government must wake up, own this mess, and protect our children before more families are shattered,” the Darjeeling MP said.