April 02, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

SHIKARPUR, April 1: Shikarpur, once considered more peaceful than other districts of the province, have seen more than 337 people getting killed in the bloody tribal feuds during last 21 years with all the peace attempts made so far ending in futility.

Jirgas have been held eight times since 1990 with the last held in 2007 to settle the feuds raging on for 21 years between Mahars and Jatois and 22 other tribes including Marfani, Brohi, Katohar, Qambrani, Bhayo, Shar, Khosa, Issani, Sundrani, Chandia, Pahore, Teghani, Ogahi, Jeha, Lolai, Machhi, Gopang and Jakhrani. More than 337 people have lost lives in the bloody disputes so far.

All the jirgas held in 1990, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007 at Shikarpur and Sukkur circuit houses failed to establish peace. At present, running feuds between Mahars and Jatois, Gopang and Jakhranis, Kalwar and Jatois, Shar and Khosa and Ogahi versus Teghani have lead to clashes, which have left 177 people killed and 105 injured.

There are reports that tribal chieftains of Jatoi and Mahar tribes Sardar Khadim Hussain Khan Jatoi and Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar have once again agreed to participate in a jirga on April 11 and 12 being convened by Shikarpur DPO Agha Muhammad Tahir at Circuit House Sukkur to settle their disputes. Mahar and Jatoi dispute have claimed over 150 lives on both sides.

The precarious law and order situation in the war-torn areas, particularly Bambheehar, Jagan, Nim Sharif, Jahan Wah union councils to the north of Garhi Yasin taluka and west of Shikarpur taluka have forced 30 per cent population of about 30 villages to migrate to city areas and other safe places. About 90 per cent schools have become non-functional in the affected villages and are being used as hideouts of criminals.

The criminals and outlaws, who are encouraged by the warring tribes, further deteriorate peace by committing crimes including murders, theft, robbery and kidnapping for ransom.

The affected villages remain deprived of basic amenities including education, health, food and means of communication and are mostly cut off from urban areas due to lawlessness.