PESHAWAR, June 18: The residents of Shabqadar Fort staged a protest demonstration against what they said government’s failure to recover the two persons kidnapped for ransom by unknown armed men some 23 days ago.

All bazaars in the town adjacent to Momand tribal agency remained closed as a mark of protest against the kidnapping of Abdul Majid and Lal Rahim, says a press release issued by the residents of Shabqadar.

Protesters gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk and displayed placards and banners inscribed with slogans against lawlessness in the town.

Maulana Hamdillah Jan, Haji Sayed Raqim Shah Bacha, Maulana Fakhrud Din, Qaiser Shah Bacha and others spoke to the demonstrators.

They alleged that kidnappings had become a routine in the town owing to the inefficiency of the law enforcement agencies and regretted that the authorities had failed to control the situation.

On May 24, 2003, Abdul Majid and Lal Mohammad were kidnapped on their way to Hasanzai from Mirzai village. Kidnappers, the family claimed, were demanding huge amount as ransom for the release of the two persons.