April 26, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1429

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE, April 25: The Kandiaro police on Friday lodged two FIRs against 80 members of Sehto and Solangi communities for blocking the National Highway on two occasions. A section of the Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) had also been applied in the FIRs.

ASI Abdul Ghafoor Sargani had lodged an FIR under section 341, 435, 427, 147, 148 of the PPC and 7 of the ATA against members of the Sehto community.

He stated that he (ASI) and other police officials were on patrolling on April 23, when they saw that about 50 people had blocked the National Highway near Budak bus stop by burning tyres.

The ASI stated that he identified 18 persons and about 30-32 persons, who could be identified when seen again had illegally blocked the road.

The ASI lodged another FIR under section 341, 435, 427, 147, 148 of the PPC and section 7 of the ATA against 18 identified and about 30-32 unidentified persons of Solangi community stating that on April 24, he with other police officials while patrolling on the National Highway saw the accused had blocked the highway.

Members of Sehto community had blocked the highway on Wednesday to protest against Kandiaro police for not arresting the accused of Solangi community nominated in their FIR.

DPO Naushahro Feroze along with other police officials went to the spot and assured protesters of removing their grievances.

The dispute between the two communities cropped up about six months ago when a girl, Sassui Solangi, eloped with a youth Saeed Sehto and got married against the will of their parents. Since then, both the tribes are fighting and lodging cases against each other.

DPO Zulfiqar Ali Larik told Dawn blocking National Highway for petty matters was unacceptable. He said a jirga will be held on Monday by Rais Shahnawaz Khuhik to resolve the dispute.