E. Java's boy escapes abductor

BOJONEGORO, East Java: Twelve-year-old Nurhadi managed to escape Hanin, a beggar who last month forced him to go around the country begging, Antara reported on Saturday.

Nurhadi said he was kidnapped on March 7 along with three other children, and was made to beg in the cities of Surabaya, Malang, Blitar in East Java, Solo and Semarang in Central Java, and Jakarta.

Nurhadi was taken while on the way to his friend's home. He escaped from Hanin's clutches in Semarang on Thursday and was helped by Anton, a provincial administration official.

"Pak Anton took me to his home and let me stay there for two days. He also gave me money so that I could go home," he said.

Nurhadi's father, Bambang Mulyadi, said he would report the abduction to the police. (swe)