Balochistan Chief Minister Mr.Raisani orders early recovery of abducted Hindu cleric

By Mohammad Zafar
Tuesday, January 18, 2011

(Photo : Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani during press conference in Pakistan)

QUETTA : Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has issued directions to the police and Balochistan Levies for early and safe recovery of Hindu spiritual leader Maharaj Lakshmi Chand Garji, who was kidnapped along with four others while traveling from Kalat to Khuzdar a few weeks back.

        According to reports, Lakshmi Garji, 82, the maharaj of a historic Hindu temple in Kalat, Kali Mandir, was abducted, presumably for ransom, near Surab area some weeks ago. Following the high profile kidnapping of the Hindu cleric, CM Raisani paid a visit to Kalat to review the security situation and ordered the provincial home minister and the IGP to take tough action against the culprits and ensure peace and order in the province.

         Earlier, a delegation of Hindu leaders, led by provincial minister Basnat Lal Gulshan, met the CM and informed him about the abduction of Maharaj Garji. Raisani assured the leaders that a comprehensive strategy was being prepared by the provincial government to eliminate criminal activities on the RCD Highway.

         Reports say that a number of people have been whisked away for ransom in Kalat area in recent weeks, while looting of passenger vans and highway hold-ups are also on the rise.