August 26, 2007	Sunday	Sha’aban 12, 1428

LARKANA, Aug 25: Tension gripped Obauro and areas adjacent to it after kidnapping of 20 persons belonging to Shar and Chachar clans near Kamo Shaheed on Saturday.

The bone of contention was said to be the alleged kidnapping of Ms Arbab Khatoon Chachar by Shar community about 10 days ago. An FIR of the incident was also registered against Akbar Shar with the Wasti Jeewan Shah Police station, reports said.

Reacting to the incident, Chachars kidnapped eight persons (labourers) of Shars from Ranwti link road on Saturday while they were going on donkey carts.

In retaliation, Shar clan stormed ‘Marowala’ village close to Walhar railway station near Ratti and kidnapped seven persons.

Meanwhile, on Saturday Akbar Shar and Arbab Khatoon Chachar were handed over to Deen Mohammad Mazari, the TPO of Wasti Jeewan Shah through Ahmed Yar Shar, the chieftain of Shar clan.

When contacted Sardar Ahmed Yar Shar said about 10 days ago Ms Arab Khatoon Chachar had eloped with Akbar Shar and fled to Sanghar. He conceded handing over the two to the TPO Wasti Jeewan Shah after fresh wave of kidnappings.

He dispelled the impression that the Shars had kidnapped a number of people from Chachar clan.

He accused police of inaction and added the administration and police would be responsible for any mishap if the kidnapped persons were not released.

Ghulam Hussain Chachar, a leading landlord of the area, however, accused Sardar Ahmed Yar Shar of igniting hatred.

He alleged that Kako Shar, the nazim of union council ‘Berota’, was behind the whole episode and the car of Ahmed Yar Shar was used in the incident.

He said Shars had kidnapped Ms Arbab Khatoon Chachar about ten days. He accused the Shars of kidnapped 10 more persons.