Through this letter I would like to draw attention of the higher authorities to the frequent kidnapping for ransom of people and even more frequent robberies in public transport. Nowadays it is very common for hoods to suddenly swoop upon a hapless victim, put him in a car and then call his family for the ransom money ranging between Rs 75,000 to Rs 200,000 to be delivered within hours. Robbery incidents in buses are also very common. Guns are pointed at the driver to force him to park on the side, then passengers are told to take out their money, watches, mobiles, jewelry etc. Anyone who resists or protests is smacked, sometimes even bumped off. Most people who get hit in this kind of action are lower-middle or middle class. If we continued to remain silent spectators to this kind of 'petty' crime, this is going to spread. -FATIMA SOOFI DESAI, Karachi, via e-mail, November 21.