Bhubaneswar, June 6: A diverted phone call and a response, has given a fresh twist to Rashmiranjan Mohapatra kidnapping.

“We tried to call Rashmi’s phone. But the call was diverted elsewhere,” said a relative, who pointed out that it could have been a ploy to avoid detection. “But a man speaking in Oriya picked up the phone and told us that Rashmi continues to be alive. He asked us to pay up the ransom and before anything else, banged the phone down,” added the relative.

“We feel our police are not doing enough to track down the ransom calls and nab the culprits,” stressed the relative.

However, Khurda superintendent of police Amitabh Thakur emphasised that the police have been doing their best. However, their assurances have not calmed the family, which is getting increasingly impatient with the “slow” force.

“Despite our repeated pleas to provide us with the details of the diverted call, the network provider would not listen to us. They add that they would provide it only if the police asks for the records. And the police are keeping mum over the issue,” he added.

Fire arm seized

Nayapalli police today seized a motorcycle, a country pistol and a live bullet from a youth from Kendrapara district. Police said Pravat Kumar Mahakud (31) alias Babuli had stolen the motorcycle from Aul area and had been hiding in a slum at Nayapalli.

This afternoon when he was threatening some shopkeepers in Delta area, police nabbed him and recovered the arms from him.