HYDERABAD, Nov 12: Over half a dozen women of village Pahar Leghari, near Chambar, taluka Tando Allahyar, have accused a local landlord of excesses and appealed to the president, Sindh governor, IG police and other authorities to protect them and the male members of their family against the high handedness of the accused.

Speaking at a news conference at the Hyderabad press club here on Monday, they said that a piece of land measuring eight and a half acres with survey No. 447 and 448-A.B in taluka Tando Allahyar was the property of 17 people most of whom were women.

They alleged that a landlord, Ghulam Mustafa Leghari, was trying to take over this piece of land by force.

They said that the son of one of the owners of the land was won over by the landlord who wanted to usurp the remaining land also by creating a rift among the other partners.

The women charged that by using his influence, he had managed to get false FIRs registered against the male members of their families, who were being arrested.

The women said that some members of their families namely Ghulam Ali Leghari, Khair Mohammad, Bachhal, Pervez Ahmed and Arbab had already been arrested in a false case and the women were being threatened with dire consequences.

They alleged that they had been warned if they did not transfer the land in the landlord’s name, their male relatives would be murdered.

They feared that the Tando Bahawal tragedy might be repeated if no action was taken against the landlord.

They complained that they had submitted several applications to the concerned authorities and a committee of the elected representatives had also given a decision against Ghulam Mustafa Leghari but he had refused to accept the decision.

The women appealed for justice and demanded that a judicial inquiry may be ordered in the false case registered against the male members of their families.

Those who spoke at the news conference included Sehti wife of Mohammad Khan, Ayesha daughter of Mohammad Khan, Sain daughter of Mohammad Khan, Khairi daughter of Izzat Khan and Bhagbhari wife of Ghazi Khan.

Manzoor Hussain son of Ghulam Ali Leghari read the written text of the press conference.