Bring our daughter back from Kabul: Parents of abducted Indian woman urge govt

Kolkata: Family members of Judith D’Souza, who was abducted from Taimani area of Kabul, on Friday said external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has assured them of making all-out efforts to bring her back. “External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj rang up and spoke to me and assured that the government is making all-out efforts to bring her back,” Judith’s sister Agnes D’Souza said here.

Father of Judith D'Souza, who was kidnapped in Kabul, breaks down at his residence in Kolkata. (Photo: PTI)

Judith was abducted on Thursday night. Their father D. D’Souza said the family received information that three persons — Judith, a security guard and the driver of the vehicle — were abducted. The family, Agnes said, received information of the abduction in the early hours of the day. “We received the news from the Indian embassy in Kabul at 1.30 am. The embassy said we are doing our best. We shall inform you as soon as we get any information. We are now waiting. We hope that the government does something and gets my sister back,” she said, adding the Afghanistan government should also take steps to trace her.

File photo of Judith D'Souza (sitting Left) with her other family members, who was reportedly abducted in Kabul. (Photo: PTI)

She said Judith was scheduled to return home Wednesday next and had rung up two days ago. “She did not express any apprehension,” she said. Agnes said, “We had asked her (Judith) not to go there but she did not listen.” Their father said efforts were made to contact Aga Khan Foundation with which Judith works. “We have sent an e-mail to them.” He said his daughter was working for uplifting the condition of women and children there.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said he spoke to the family of the abducted woman and contacted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. “@SushmaSwaraj Ji, I spoke to father & sister of lady from #Kolkata abdu-cted in Afghanistan. Request updates pl from your office (sic),” he tweeted.