Judith D’Souza never felt insecure, says father

An Indian woman working for an international NGO, Judith D’Souza, who had been abducted in Afghanistan on Thursday was scheduled to return home for a month-long holiday next week. Judith’s family, which lives at CIT Road in Kolkata, was eagerly looking forward to her return.

“Last time we spoke to her was two days ago. She informed that she would be coming home next Wednesday (June 15),” her elder sister Agnes D’Souza (43) said on Friday. Her septugenarian father Denzil D’Souza said Judith was very excited about her forthcoming home coming.

However, one long-distance call from the Indian embassy in Kabul in the early hours of Friday came as a rude shock to the D’Souza family. “Judith has been abducted,” they were told. Judith has been working in Afghanistan for Agha Khan Development Network as social development officer.

It was 1.30 am when the Indian ambassador to Kabul, Manpreet Vohra, called the D’Souza family to inform them about the incident, Agnes said, adding that Judith had been working in Afghanistan for the past one year, but she never voiced any security concerns. “She in fact likes Kabul and enjoys the work she has been doing there,” she said.

Her father said that she had earlier worked in Nepal, Bangladesh and some Southeast Asian countries, but had never faced any threat or felt insecure. After passing out from Loreto Sealdah, Judith graduated from St. Xaviers College in Kolkata in English (Honours). Later, she shifted to Mumbai to do her masters in social work.

Mr D’Souza informed that the family later came to know that the abduction took place when Judith was returning from a dinner on Thursday night.

“She was travelling in a car with the driver and her security guard when she was kidnapped,” Mr D’Souza added. He recalled the family members had a serious discussion about Judith’s security before she travelled to Afghanistan. “But she convinced us she would be provided adequate security and indeed there was lot of security for her,” he said. Judith’s mother Gloria said she was very brave.

Judith’s father, who needs regular dialysis, has been shattered by the development. He appealed to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the external affairs minister to do everything possible to bring Judith back.

Mr D’Souza said that Trinamul Congress MP Derek O’Brien called up and inquired about them. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also called up Judith’s family and assured them all possible help. “I have spoken to the sister of Judith D’Souza. We will spare no efforts to rescue her,” Ms Swaraj later tweeted.

Judith’s brother Jerome D’Souza who works in Bengaluru, sought Ms Swaraj and Mr Vohra’s help through a tweet. Trying to reassuring him Ms Swaraj tweeted back, “She is your sister and India’s daughter. We are doing everything to rescue her. Pl take care of your sick father.”