Seven school children and two youths were allegedly kidnapped from a village near here, police said on Friday. Two kidnappers came in a jeep and forcibly bundled the children and youths while they were returning from school at Erora village last evening, police said. Some villagers tried to chase the jeep, but in vain.

Five of the those abducted have been identified as -Brijesh Ahirwar (14), Chandrabhan (13), Jalam (16), Surendra (22) and Bhagwan (20). According to police, one of the kidnappers has been identified as Brijesh Dubey, a listed criminal who carries a reward of Rs. 2,000 on his head.