BIJNOR: A 24-year-old masked man on Wednesday evening at around 7pm held a minor girl hostage at a clothing shop at knifepoint in Najibabad town in Bijnor.The incident occurred when 2 minor girls came to a shop to buy clothes.

Meanwhile, a young man, wrapped in a shawl, appeared on the scene and held a knife to the throat of the minor.

The man allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh and a motorcycle from the shop owner. When the girl cried for help, police arrived at the scene and apprehended the man.Najibabad circle officer Nitesh Pratap Singh and station house officer Rahul Singh, who were on patrol nearby, arrived at the scene with their police team. The police immediately apprehended the man and safely rescued the girl.

The woman sustained a minor knife scratch during the struggle. The intoxicated man shouted loudly, saying he wanted to go to jail.During initial questioning, the arrested man identified himself as a resident of Barabanki and said he arrived in Najibabad by train that evening. He then came to the busy market area on the station road and committed the crime.Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh stated that the man was taken into custody and further information about him was being gathered.