Islamabad, Dec 27 (IANS) More than two dozen Hindu families in Pakistan have sought political asylum in India after an increase in cases of kidnapping for ransom and target killings of the members of their community in Balochistan province, an official said.

The Hindu families have approached the Indian high commission here for visa and political asylum. They cited the increase in abductions for ransom and target killings as their reason for wanting to go to India.

Saeed Ahmed Khan, the regional director for the federal ministry of human rights, shared the information at a seminar on "Provincial Conference on Balochistan Crisis" here Sunday, the Dawn reported Monday.

Khan said that Hindus have been living in Balochistan for centuries, but in recent weeks several members of the minority community had been kidnapped or murdered, forcing them to seek asylum in India.

"As many as 27 Hindu families from Balochistan have sent applications to the Indian embassy (sic) for asylum in India," he was quoted as saying.

The official said this was a matter of great concern and urged the government to take immediate measures to improve the law and order situation in Balochistan.

The ministry of human rights statistics also show there has been large-scale violation of human rights in Balochistan and people are being abducted for ransom.

National Party's vice president Ishaq Baloch said Baloch youths have become frustrated as they had been denied rights and their national identity had not been recognised.

Abdul Khaliq Hazara, chairman of the Hazara Democratic Party, blamed "hidden hands" for the poor law and order situation in Balochistan. He said over 100 groups involved in kidnappings for ransom were active in Balochistan.