SANGHAR, May 13: A strike was observed against the kidnapping of three persons here on Thursday. Irrigation SDO Mumtaz Narai and landlords Abdul Rehman Nizamani and Abdul Rehman Qureshi had been kidnapped in the Kanahar Mari village allegedly by landlord Mashooq Jalalani, Soomer Keerio and four other persons on Tuesday.

The irrigation staff have threatened to close the Nara Canal system if the kidnapped SDO was not released in 24 hours. A meeting was held at the irrigation rest house here on Thursday which was attended by irrigation officials, representatives of farmers' organizations and area residents.

Speaking on the occasion, Nara Canal Area Water Board director Aijaz Agha and Farmers' Organization Committee chairman Syed Ali Gohar Shah alleged that police were not taking the matter seriously. Ibrahim Nizamani, brother of kidnap victim Abdul Rehman, alleged that police were harassing them and accusing them of staging a drama.