QUETTA, Feb 9 The community of Hindus in Quetta has called upon the Balochistan government to curb the rising cases of kidnapping for ransom and robbery being perpetrated against its members.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday with Minorities Minister Basant Lal Gulshan, a leader of Quetta Hindu Panchayat, Shyam Kumar, said the deteriorating law and order situation had served to heighten the vulnerability of the community.

He said the Hindus were a peace loving community and were as patriotic as any other community.

Mr Kumar said the community had played its due role in economic development of the country. He said the community faced social and religious discrimination despite rendering numerous sacrifices for the country.

He said the shop of a Hindu trader was looted recently and last month three businessmen belonging to the community were kidnapped.