MP shocker: Woman, 2 minor daughters abducted at gunpoint in Chhatarpur; 5 held

NEW DELHI: Armed assailants, numbering more than twelve, reportedly kidnapped a woman and her two young daughters after shooting and wounding her husband in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, authorities reported on Sunday.The occurrence took place in Sumedi village within Lavkushnagar police jurisdiction at approximately 12.30 pm on Saturday. The perpetrators arrived using motorcycles and vehicles, according to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Naveen Dubey.Police are actively searching for the woman and her two children.Authorities have detained five suspects and registered charges under various Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions, including attempted murder.Superintendent of Police Agam Jain has formed five specialised teams to locate the remaining suspects and offered a Rs 10,000 reward for information.The perpetrators attacked Hariram Pal and his family before forcibly taking his wife and daughters, aged 7 and 5, at gunpoint. They were compelled into an SUV whilst shots were discharged into the air.A widely circulated social media video allegedly shows the abduction occurring in public view.

Pal informed journalists that he sustained gunshot wounds whilst attempting to protect his family but survived. The event has sparked controversy, with the opposition Congress criticising the BJP-led government's handling of state security."A woman and her two children were kidnapped in broad daylight in Chhatarpur. The accused opened fire and forcibly took them away in a car," state Congress president Jitu Patwari posted on X.He asserted that despite concerning statistics on crimes against women, the state was establishing "new records of lawlessness" and questioned Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's silence on the matter.Former chief minister Kamal Nath also denounced the incident, stating, "There is no fear of law left in Madhya Pradesh. Such film-style crimes point to a state of jungle raj. This is deeply worrying."The Madhya Pradesh Home Department confirmed via X that authorities have filed charges, including attempted murder, regarding the Sumedi village incident.