KOHAT, March 8: Hundreds of protesters on Thursday blocked the Indus Highway at Guddi Banda here to protest against the murder of a kidnapped man in the name of honour over a 12-year-old marriage dispute.

The protesters told this correspondent that the tribesmen of Kachai area of Kohat had kidnapped Abdul Razzaq and his cousin Yasir on February 9 from the mountains of Sur Gul village and whisked them away to Hangu district. Their relatives had registered a kidnapping case with the Jarma police station the same day.

The kidnappers were demanding return of a woman of their tribe who had tied the knot with one Afzal Rehman 12 years ago through a court marriage. Mr Razzaq and Mr Yasir are close relatives of Mr Rehman, who were kidnapped allegedly by the relatives of the woman.

Mr Rehman and his wife belonged to different sects and they had married during stay of both the families in Karachi against the wishes of parents. They have four children and are still living together in Karachi.

Sources said that the captors had been demanding return of their woman and talks were also underway between the two families. However, when the talks broke down the rivals kidnapped two people of Mr Rehman's family and killed one of them, Mr Razzaq, on Thursday.

Body of Mr Razzaq was found in the Jozara area of Hangu district on Thursday. The family of the woman had made the issue an honour dispute and asking for her return when she had four children now.

The protesters blocked the road for nearly one hour after the heirs brought the body Mr Razzaq from Hangu to Lachi tehsil of Kohat. They were demanding action against the killers who were reportedly known to them and the police. Large number of riot police and officers reached the scene and assured the protesters of early release of the other victim and arrest of Mr Razzaq's killers.

A case has been registered in Hangu police station against the killers. The police said that they were also negotiating with the kidnappers for the release of other victim, Mr Yasir.