<p>Maharaja Luckmi Chand Garji, 82, was kidnapped with four companions – Sajan Das, Ram Chand, Babo Lal and Venod Kumar – late on Tuesday night on RCD Highway near Surab in Kalat district, the Daily Times newspaper reported.<br /><br />The kidnappers later released three of the men at a deserted spot. The whereabouts of Garji and Kumar, the son of a trader, are not known, the paper said.<br /><br />The minority Hindu community organised protests in Khuzdar, Kalat, Naushki and provincial capital Quetta and blocked the National Highway and RCD Highway yesterday.<br />Addressing protesters at the Khuzdar Press Club, Hindu leaders said the government had failed to protect the life and property of the people, particularly the minorities.<br />The Hindu Panchayat organised a protest outside the Quetta Press Club and demanded the recovery of the kidnapped spiritual leader.<br /><br />It also organised took out a rally from the Arya Samaj Mandir and marched through Jinnah Road, Masjid Road, Shahra-e-Iqbal and Manan Chowk in Quetta.<br />Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has taken notice of the kidnapping and asked authorities to ensure the safe recovery of Garji.<br /><br />Sajan Das, one of the men released by the kidnappers, told reporters: "Five armed men in a vehicle were chasing us and intercepted us when they got an opportunity near Surab, about 100 kilometres from Kalat."<br /><br />Garji and his companions were on their way to Khuzdar to attend a marriage, Sajan Das said.<br /><br />The kidnappers blindfolded and tied the hands of three men before freeing them near a mountain, he said.<br /><br />Hindu community leaders said incidents of kidnapping had become a routine and it appeared as if highwaymen and kidnappers had been given a "free hand".<br />They alleged that police and other law enforcement agencies were patronising kidnappers.</p>
<p>Maharaja Luckmi Chand Garji, 82, was kidnapped with four companions – Sajan Das, Ram Chand, Babo Lal and Venod Kumar – late on Tuesday night on RCD Highway near Surab in Kalat district, the Daily Times newspaper reported.<br /><br />The kidnappers later released three of the men at a deserted spot. The whereabouts of Garji and Kumar, the son of a trader, are not known, the paper said.<br /><br />The minority Hindu community organised protests in Khuzdar, Kalat, Naushki and provincial capital Quetta and blocked the National Highway and RCD Highway yesterday.<br />Addressing protesters at the Khuzdar Press Club, Hindu leaders said the government had failed to protect the life and property of the people, particularly the minorities.<br />The Hindu Panchayat organised a protest outside the Quetta Press Club and demanded the recovery of the kidnapped spiritual leader.<br /><br />It also organised took out a rally from the Arya Samaj Mandir and marched through Jinnah Road, Masjid Road, Shahra-e-Iqbal and Manan Chowk in Quetta.<br />Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has taken notice of the kidnapping and asked authorities to ensure the safe recovery of Garji.<br /><br />Sajan Das, one of the men released by the kidnappers, told reporters: "Five armed men in a vehicle were chasing us and intercepted us when they got an opportunity near Surab, about 100 kilometres from Kalat."<br /><br />Garji and his companions were on their way to Khuzdar to attend a marriage, Sajan Das said.<br /><br />The kidnappers blindfolded and tied the hands of three men before freeing them near a mountain, he said.<br /><br />Hindu community leaders said incidents of kidnapping had become a routine and it appeared as if highwaymen and kidnappers had been given a "free hand".<br />They alleged that police and other law enforcement agencies were patronising kidnappers.</p>