SRINAGAR, May 26: Police authorities here have been able to solve a case of alleged kidnapping, which was threatening to rock the fragile peace in the region. Thirty-one-year-old Karachi-born Arman Kazmi was charged with kidnapping Siama Bashir, a collegian from Srinagar. However, cops were able to prove that there was a love story behind the alleged kidnapping.

Kazmi had come to Kashmir to be with Siama. Though he is languishing in jail now for violating the Passport Act, he is confident that he will be able to prove in court that he is Siama's husband.

The lovers had eloped from Srinagar and Siama's Srinagar based fiance claimed that the girl had been abducted. Siama's friends, worried she had been abducted by gunmen, staged street demonstrations.

V K Singh, SSP, Srinagar, says, ``We felt it highly unlikely that all crimes were done by militants. We searched Siama's room and discovered a Public Call Office number which gave us a clue that there could be a love angle to the alleged kidnapping,'' he added.

A fortnight after the couple's elopement, police spotted them in New Delhi airport. They have been separated till the law gives its verdict on the case.Talking to The Indian Express, Kazmi says he had quietly visited Kashmir without any permission and stayed at Siama's house. ``I am ready to face whatever punishment the court gives me but I am determined to take away my bride.''

Siama and Kazmi had known each other for 10 years, as their fathers were neighbours in Saudi Arabia. Kazmi's ancestors belonged to Uttar Pradesh.Kazmi is accused of visiting Kashmir without visa permission, although the kidnapping charge levelled against him by Siama's fiance appears irrelevant in the face of a written statement from the girl.

In jail, Kazmi has made several friends. He has been lodged in the best-furnished room in the ill-maintained sub-jail turned Kothi Bagh police station.

However, Kazmi's bravado vanishes the moment he is reminded of his parents' reaction. ``I am sure to get it from my parents,'' he says.

Totally apolitical, Kazmi says he has no idea what impact such trans-border marriages will have on Indo-Pak relations. ``Hame bas Siama ko lena tha (All I want is Siama),'' he said.

However, Siama's fiance, who says they had performed nikah five years ago, has challenged her marriage to Kazmi.

Siama says she has all the proof needed to show the court that she had been divorced earlier.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.