May 12, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 9, 1424

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OKARA, May 11: A tenant was shot dead and two others injured allegedly by the Rangers in Chak 5/4-L on the military farms here on Sunday morning.

According to former Anjuman Mazareen Punjab president Chaudhry Abdul Jabbar, Mohammed Amir was standing outside his house at around 9am when a bullet coming from Bolan Dairy hit him, killing him on the spot.

Mr Jabbar said Razzaq of Chak 4/4-L had gone out to feed the cattle when he was intercepted by some Rangers officials. They asked him to go away leaving behind the animals. Razzaq rushed to the village and informed the people about the Rangers’ taking away the cattle. Some tenants went to the place, but were allegedly shot at by the Rangers. Teenagers Latif Billa and Nadeem sustained bullet injuries.

On hearing the shots, more tenants assembled at the place and started protesting against the incident, whereupon the Rangers men at the picket near Bolan Dairy opened fire. That was when Amir, standing outside his home, was hit by a bullet.

On the other hand, a spokesman for the Rangers claimed that the casualties were the result of a dispute between two families of tenants, Sindhi and Machhi, over the ownership of cattle. There was a shootout that left the two teenagers injured. Amir was killed when villagers from Chak 4/4-L reached Chak 5/4-L, firing indiscriminately, he alleged.

The tenants’ leader announced that the body of Amir would not be shifted for burial and other formalities until the arrival of provincial highups for registration of a case against those responsible for his death.

Meanwhile, various labour and social organizations have announced a demonstration in Lahore in front of the Press Club on Monday evening to protest against the incident.