Backpacker kidnapped for ransom by gang in India

incitatus · Oct 5th, 2007, 07:03

let's hope this doesn't catch on

From The Times
October 5, 2007
Backpacker kidnapped for ransom by gang in India
Home Staff

A British student was recovering at home yesterday after being kidnapped at gunpoint and held captive for three days while backpacking in India.

Clyde MacFarlane, 20, was seized in an alleyway, detained in a derelict house without food and forced to telephone his father in England to ask for the ransom.

Police in Britain and India launched a joint operation when Mr MacFarlane’s father received the call and alerted the authorities.

more.....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle2592317.ece

crvlvr · Oct 5th, 2007, 07:53

The story sounds like a script froma comedy movie..

Quote:

I managed to call my dad on the phone but I said I had been kidnapped – the captors didn’t understand what I was saying.

”

Quote:

The gang’s car broke down during the journey to the bank and police grabbed them at a checkpoint as they attempted to complete their journey by bus.

PeakXV · Oct 5th, 2007, 09:14

Quote:

The kidnap occurred as he was walking down an alley to visit a market in the tiny village of Ranthampur in Rajasthan.

Lucky he wasn't pawed, mauled & eaten - Imagine anybody wandering around that tiger-infested jungle in the evening on their own

- those goondas were actually doing him a big favour ...... and deserved a little baksheesh - IMO - for their good deed!

Aishah · Oct 5th, 2007, 09:20

Depending on how many travellers view this post, this might put them off walking down fascinating small alleys - Jaisalmer is full of them and perfectly safe... But who is to know?? Funny, we never saw or heard any of this on the news here, either nationwide TV or local paper.

Bex · Oct 5th, 2007, 09:27

I wonder, was he looking for something particular in the back alleys (i.e. bhaang, good time girls etc) that drew the attention of these kidnappers?
How did they know he had his mobile with him?

steven_ber · Oct 5th, 2007, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bex

I wonder, was he looking for something particular in the back alleys (i.e. bhaang, good time girls etc)

There can be a fascinating world down those back alleys.

Aishah · Oct 5th, 2007, 13:56

Nice post, Steven! I missed reading it before. The back alleys are the places where 'real life' is going on here all over India
and not necessarily the frightening places of our imaginations.

Nick-H · Oct 5th, 2007, 17:21

No problem with back alleys, but they are best avoided in the night, or once the drinking hours begin.

Recovering at home...

Well, any self-respecting IMer would have posted an amusing account and got one with their holiday.

Or just mentioned it in passing: Due to having been kidnapped I am now in a different city and wonder what my train options might be for moving on. The kidnappers clearly had no understanding of booking trains online, although they supposed I might be luckier with the next gang that I encountered...

Seriously... What a bloody terrifying ordeal, and we do indeed hope that this does not catch on. I hope it hasn't put the guy off India for life. I'd understand if it has done.

Beena450 · Oct 5th, 2007, 17:34

How did they tell him what to say on the phone if they did not understand english

Nick-H · Oct 5th, 2007, 17:50

...And how did he understand what they were saying?

dhans · Oct 6th, 2007, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

...And how did he understand what they were saying?

Yep too many questions. Overhearing them in the kitchen (speaking english), but too stupid to understand him talking on the phone. Probably an urban legend, or a guy in need of money.

Hans

Nick-H · Oct 6th, 2007, 19:16

Or, even more likely, a stupid, illiterate reporter subjected to the ravages of a subeditor!

I bet the published text is nothing like the original copy, and that probably didn't bear much resemblance to what the guy actually said.

Oct 5th, 2007, 07:03	#1
incitatus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 207	Backpacker kidnapped for ransom by gang in India let's hope this doesn't catch on From The Times October 5, 2007 Backpacker kidnapped for ransom by gang in India Home Staff A British student was recovering at home yesterday after being kidnapped at gunpoint and held captive for three days while backpacking in India. Clyde MacFarlane, 20, was seized in an alleyway, detained in a derelict house without food and forced to telephone his father in England to ask for the ransom. Police in Britain and India launched a joint operation when Mr MacFarlane’s father received the call and alerted the authorities. more..... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle2592317.ece

Oct 5th, 2007, 09:20	#4
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,489	Depending on how many travellers view this post, this might put them off walking down fascinating small alleys - Jaisalmer is full of them and perfectly safe... But who is to know?? Funny, we never saw or heard any of this on the news here, either nationwide TV or local paper. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Oct 5th, 2007, 17:21	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	No problem with back alleys, but they are best avoided in the night, or once the drinking hours begin. Recovering at home... Well, any self-respecting IMer would have posted an amusing account and got one with their holiday. Or just mentioned it in passing: Due to having been kidnapped I am now in a different city and wonder what my train options might be for moving on. The kidnappers clearly had no understanding of booking trains online, although they supposed I might be luckier with the next gang that I encountered... Seriously... What a bloody terrifying ordeal, and we do indeed hope that this does not catch on. I hope it hasn't put the guy off India for life. I'd understand if it has done. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 5th, 2007, 17:34	#9
Beena450 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 180	How did they tell him what to say on the phone if they did not understand english __________________ good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere http://www.flickr.com/photos/pakinuttah/ http://www.getjealous.com/pakinuttah/

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Oct 5th, 2007, 09:27	#5
Bex knitta! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 106	I wonder, was he looking for something particular in the back alleys (i.e. bhaang, good time girls etc) that drew the attention of these kidnappers? How did they know he had his mobile with him?

Oct 5th, 2007, 13:56	#7
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 5,489	Nice post, Steven! I missed reading it before. The back alleys are the places where 'real life' is going on here all over India and not necessarily the frightening places of our imaginations.

Oct 5th, 2007, 17:50	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	...And how did he understand what they were saying?

Oct 6th, 2007, 19:16	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,790	Or, even more likely, a stupid, illiterate reporter subjected to the ravages of a subeditor! I bet the published text is nothing like the original copy, and that probably didn't bear much resemblance to what the guy actually said.

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