December 01, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 9, 1427

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DERA GHAZI KHAN, Nov 30: An eight-man heavily armed `gang of outlaws’ kidnapped six farmers from the riverine area falling in the Kot Cchutta police station jurisdiction on Wednesday night.

Reports reaching here on Thursday suggested that it was the second such incident in Bait Cheenwala within the last three days.

In an earlier incident two days ago, four farmers were kidnapped. Of them, two were released by the outlaws with a message to the Jhoke Utra union council nazim to arrange Rs5 million for the release of rest of the abducted or be ready to face more kidnappings. The same gang, it is believed, struck again on Wednesday night and picked up six farmers.

Jhoke Uttra nazim Mian Zafar told Dawn that police were helpless in the riverine area as there was a thick jungle surrounded by violent waters of mighty river Indus. He said there was a need of a well thought-out operation to ensure the safe release of farmers and a major crackdown afterwards to clear the bela of outlaws.

He claimed at least 10 people had been kidnapped in the last night strike.

Dera range DIG Chaudhry Mubarik Ali Athar told Dawn that a contingent of police had surrounded the outlaws’ hideout. He expected safe recovery of the farmers and the arrest of outlaws in the next few hours.

PPP MEETING: People’s Party local chamber held a meeting to celebrate the PPP founding day at its central office here on Thursday.

On the occasion, tehsil councillor Mrs Kalsoom Sajjad advocate and her associates — Mrs Farzana Naureen, Ms Bushra Raees Advocate, Mrs Ruqaya Ramazan and Mrs Haji Mohammed Zafar — joined the party.

The induction of female tehsil councillors was welcomed by district PPP president Khwaja Sheraz and secretary-general Alim Khan Khetran.