LAHORE: A teenage boy went missing from Badami Bagh on Wednesday, sending a wave of panic among the residents who have seen the alleged kidnapping of four children from the area in the last three weeks.

Scores of local residents launched strong agitation by blocking a road and raising slogans against local police’s failure to check kidnappings.

They took to the street after 14-year-old Yasin did not return home. He had left his house to offer Fajr prayers on Wednesday in the nearby mosque.

The angry protestors blocked the main road for traffic and continued agitation there for hours.

They alleged unidentified criminals were kidnapping children from Badami Bagh but the police were treating this as a case of missing children.

“Fear has gripped the families after repeated incidents of kidnap of children and the police officials are sending false reports to higher authorities,” Fazal Ahmad, a protester, told reporters.

He said the residents had confined their children to homes and were reluctant to allow them activities in streets.

“First time in life we are not allowing children to play in grounds or streets or go to nearby shops.” he said.

Protesters warned if action was not taken against the kidnappers, the people of the area were planning to surround the chief minister house.

Police officials arrived at the site and dispersed the protestors assuring them the safe return of the missing children.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2016