The abductees [Archives:2008/1138/Opinion]

Nabeel Haidar
I have been feeling frustrated for a long period of time, and having stared at other's eyes, I felt the same thing. I remembered what I could not have forgotten since it occurred. It is the incident of abducting construction engineers in a remote area, and the moment at which I remembered the incident is the same moment that caused my frustration.

For two months plus, the three engineers, who were on duty, have been held captive in the confinement of abductors who justified their act to unmet demands, which the abductees have nothing to do with. Ignorance of the kidnappers is responsible for the event, notably as they are exploiting the harsh topography making it impossible for any individual or government authorities to approach them. They are also exploiting fears and concerns over the abductees' lives while the result was that the victims were threatened of murder, thereby leading security agents to maintain a high level of vigilance while communicating with the ignorant kidnappers with the intention of releasing the captives with the minimal cost and effort. Alertness seems to be more powerful that slumbering or sedation (the moments of temporary risks) while on the contrary, mothers, sisters and daughters of those held captive are taken more than once in a state of unconsciousness to any nearby hospitals as a result of psychological shocks caused by the ordeal of their breadwinners.

All those hearing about the ordeal interact and sympathize with the innocent engineers, held captive for unclear reason. But, as days and nights pass, hopes of releasing the innocent victims vanish. The abductees' relatives seemed to behave abnormally and their fears and concerns reached other families having some of their members working at different construction projects nationwide. As certain incidents usually remind us of similar incidents, fears bread fears.

I then turn to the relevant government agencies and say that their absent efforts or mobilization may be excusable, but such a conception is not supposed to continue any longer, particularly when it comes to the ordeal of individuals who were subjected to an unexpected calamity while performing their duty. All this is an adequate reason for the competent authorities to take a quick action for the sake of releasing the captives and helping them return safely to their families.

I personally understand the integral role played by the social dignitaries and tribal sheikhs and how they intervene to resolve such issues. These dignitaries and sheikhs repeatedly claim service and development projects for their areas and they always cooperate with engineers who designate and plan such projects.

I think that the situation helped establish good relations between tribal sheikhs and construction engineers over time, but now the relevant government agencies and these tribal leaders are needed to intervene in releasing the innocent captives.

Source: Al-Thawra State-run Daily
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