BADIN, Jan 13: A curfew-like situation prevailed in Lowari Sharif and at a radius of five kilometres after imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC by the district nazim on the eve of 9th and 10th Zilhaj.

The disciples of Lowari Sharif, however, slammed the district government of Badin for imposing Section 144 of the CrPC with a view to preventing them from observing the Urs and offering Fateha and Eid prayers.

According to the district administration, bloodshed could have occurred had the administration failed to impose Section 144.

The controversy over the heir ship of Lowari Sharif has been going on for the last many years and many people have been killed but the authorities failed to settle the dispute.

All that could be done was to lock the shrine besides banning the visits by the disciples.

Nine people had died in 1983 and a case was registered against 30 others.

The differences in the Lowari Sharif Jamaat cropped up after the death of the seventh Sajjada Nasheen, Khwaja Gul Hassan, in early eighties.

The followers of Faiz Mohammad Qureshi Naqshbandi claimed that he had been nominated as the seventh Sajjada Nasheen by Khwaja Gul Hassan during his life time through his will.

However, the other group rejected the claim and favoured Khwaja Mohammad Hassan as the heir to the Gaddi.

However, both the groups are reported to be close to an amicable settlement.

Property valued at millions of rupees stands registered in the name of shrine which is being managed by the Auqaf department.

For lack of proper maintenance, the shrine is in a dilapidated condition.