HYDERABAD, May 30: A small landholder of Panyo Kori Goth, Matiari Taluka, Hyderabad district, M. Azeem, son of M. Yousuf Kori, has appealed to the authorities concerned to provide him, his family members and witnesses protection in the attempted murder case as their lives were in grave danger.

He was speaking at a news conference at the Hyderabad Press Club on Thursday.

During the entire press conference, he was virtually crying due to the fear of his tormentors and apathy of the police.

Giving details, he said that he owned 20 acres of land in Deh Oderolal and when he had gone to his land on April 21, a murderous attack was made on his life by M. Anwar, M. Saleh, Imdad Ali, Akbar Ali, and Dur Mohammed (all Koris by caste), and three to four other people, one of whom identified himself as a dacoit, Soomar Khoso.

He said that he had gone to his land on a motorcycle when he was fired upon by the above accused, who were hiding in his banana orchard. He tried to escape on his motorcycle but fell down and was surrounded by the above accused.

He said that the accused warned him that if he did not sell his land to Dur Mohammed and give him Rs300,000, he along with his family members would be killed. He alleged that the accused also robbed him of Rs17,000 in cash.

He said he reported the matter to the Oderolal police station but the SHO refused to register an FIR on the plea that the accused were both dangerous and influential people.

He said to protect his family, he filed a writ petition in the Sindh High Court.