Kids kidnapped, freed in MP

Shivpuri, MP, June 3 (UNI) Two children were kidnapped by about ten armed people in a jeep while the kids were grazing cattle at a forest near this district's Doni village but later freed by the kidnappers who fled when surrounded by villagers and police.

When villagers got wind of the crime committed at about 1800 hrs last evening, they pursued in vehicles along with police. It is suspected that the kidnapping was by an Uttar Pradesh-based gang that forced children to beg. The scene of crime is close to the state border.

''The accused lured Santosh (11) and Amrit (12) and then gagged them. Another child Firoz and a villager witnessed the crime and alerted villagers and police,'' said Superintendent of Police Dinesh Chandra Sharma.

UNI XC-AC RL AS1721