SUKKUR, Jan 2: A complete shutterdown was observed and a rally was taken out in Salehpat on Friday against the kidnap of three goldsmiths late on Thursday night near Bukhari Farm.

The three goldsmiths, Vikram Lal, Gobind, and Mahendir, in a Suzuki car (AQB-899) were on their way to Salehpat from Sukkur. When they reached near Bukhari Farm, a group of armed dacoits intercepted them and reportedly kidnapped them.

Vikram Lal’s father Ghanshamdas told the police that last night he had contacted his son over his mobile phone and he had told him that they were at Rohri bypass for refilling CNG and afterwards their mobile phones were switched off. However, no case was registered.

Following the incident, a complete shutterdown strike was observed in the town due to which all the main bazaars and business centres remained closed throughout the day.

Besides hundreds of citizens, on the call given by the Hindu Panchayat, led by its president Mukhi Nanik Mal and Pradeep Kumar took to the streets. They chanted slogans against the police, which according to them had failed to protect lives and properties of the people.

Later, the protesters gathered in front of the Salehpat police station and raised slogans against the police.

Mukhi Nanik Mal demanded of the police to recover the hostages within three days, otherwise a protest movement would be launched against the police. clash: Two persons were killed and five others, including a woman, were injured in an armed clash between Sawand and Sabzoi clansmen in the katcha area of Kandhkot on Friday.

Members of Sabzoi and Sawand clans exchanged fire over old enmity. As a result Adam Sabzoi and Mir Mohammad Sabzoi were killed on the spot and five others, including a woman, whose names could not be ascertained, were injured.

On Monday, Shahzado Sabzoi was shot dead by armed people in Kandhkot.

Sawand and Sabzoi clansmen are engaged in a land dispute for the last five years and so far 35 people from both the clans have been killed and dozens injured.

ARREST: The Mirpur Mathelo police on Friday claimed to have arrested two accused out of the 17 booked on charges of attacking a police party during a raid in Khan Mohammad Sudh village near Mirpur Mathelo.