HYDERABAD, May 23: At least 18 liberated peasants are reported to have been kidnapped by armed men from two camps here.

A press release by the HRCP Task Force on Sunday said that two landlords of Sanghar along with 15 armed men had kidnapped four liberated peasants from the Saleem poultry farm in the jurisdiction of Site police station and 14 from the Zeal Pak Hari camp Husri.

It said that later 11 kidnap victims were released in Tando Mir Alam Mari with a message that others could also be released on payment of money. The HRCP said that peasants kidnapped from the Saleem poultry farm included Shagan Kolhi, his wife Laxmi and two children, Ramesh and Laungi who had been earlier liberated from the private jail of the Mari landlord.

The owner of the poultry farm had informed the Site police in writing but no action was taken in the matter. The next morning Shagan was brought at the Zeal Pak Hari camp from where his two brothers Kishan and Kewal and their relatives Velo Kolhi, Laloo son of Sandho, Laloo son of Hari, Diya Ram, Rajo son of Diya Ram, Rajo son of Sambhoo, Ms Shamo, Dali, Shanti, Sirita, Lali and Nako were also taken away.

The 'liberated' peasants were also subjected to torture. The HRCP said that peasants were rescued from the private jail of Mari landlords in 1996 with the help of Sanghar administration.

A case has been registered at the Husri police station. It might be recalled that the same landlords had kidnapped nine members of the Mannu Bheel's family in 1998 from Jhuddo.