SHIKARPUR, March 26: The district coordinator of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, Shikarpur, Mir Babul Bhayo, was arrested here on Friday night on the charges of kidnapping, robbery and enticing people for rioting and other criminal charges. Mir Babul is the son of MNA Mir Altaf Bhayo and close aide of the sacked Sindh minister Imtiaz Shaikh. He was kept at the New Foujdari police station amid tight security. TPO City Irfan Bhutto said Mr Bhayo was arrested in a case registered against him under sections 365A, 302, 307, 324, 353, 147, 148 and 341 after rioting and creating a law and order situation on Feb 12. About 300 other people were also booked in the case, he said.

They include Mohammad Siddiq, Waseem Siddiqui, Ghulam Rasool Brohi, Salah Pathan, Nazir Shaikh, Nasrullah Shaikh and Allah Warayo Brohi.

He said some persons had obtained bail while others were absconding.

Mr Bhutto said Babul Bhayo was also wanted by police in several cases of kidnapping, robbery and banditry at various police stations of the district.

He said after scrutinizing all the cases, investigation would be initiated against him and other criminals.

The personal secretary of Imtiaz Shaikh, Mr Munawar Shaikh, said the arrest of Mr Bhayo was a political victimization.

He said the procession taken out on Feb 12 was peaceful and police had registered a case without any justification.

KIDNAPPED: Two boys were kidnapped by armed men in the Umer Bhutto village some two kilometres away from Kashmore on Friday night.

Lalo, 10, son of Bashir Bhutto, and Shakoor, 12, son of Allah Wadhayo Bhutto, were returning to their village after attending a marriage ceremony when a group of armed men kidnapped them.

Villagers along with police chased kidnappers but failed to trace the boys.