Why Mangalore 'kidnappers' want to stay in jail

Five men, arrested in connection with the abduction of the daughter of a Kerala Member of Legislative Assembly in Mangalore last week, were granted bail by a local court on Friday.

However, their lawyer claims that the accused will remain in lock-up till the Kerala government assures them about their security.

The daughter of Communist Party of India – Marxist MLA from Kasrgod C Kunhambu was allegedly abducted by the accused in Mangalore last week, after they spotted her talking to a boy from the minority community. The accused, who claimed that they wanted to 'protect the girl', later let her off with a warning.

Though the police suspected the involvement of activists of the Shri Ram Sena, the accused reportedly belonged to the Democratic Youth Federation of India.

The accused were granted bail by a Mangalore court on Friday. But their lawyer P P Hegde told media persons that his clients didn't want to leave the security of the jail premises as they feared for their lives.

The accused have also written to Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, stating that they would leave the jail only if they were assured of their security.