May 12, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 6, 1429

MIRPURKHAS, May 11: The condition of Shehnaz Bhatti, who has been allegedly kidnapped and tortured by an influential landlord, is deteriorating while the Kunri police have refused to lodge a case against the accused.

Two days ago, Shahnaz Bhatti, a resident of Kunri town was kidnapped and allegedly tortured by the former husband of her sister, a landlord, but the Kunri police refused to lodge a case due his influence.

The woman told reporters in Civil Hospital Umerkot on Saturday that about 10 years ago her sister was married to the landlord, but he used to maltreat her at the behest of his first wife.

About a month ago he divorced her sister and ousted her from his house without returning her dowry and her belongings and without paying any maintenance to her, she claimed.

She said that when they asked him to return the dowry, he got furious and started threatening them.

She said that two days ago at night, her sister’s former husband and his wife forcibly entered their house. The man, who was drunk, forcibly kidnapped her (Shehnaz) and kept her in illegal confinement in his house, where she was severely tortured and she fell unconscious, she claimed.

She said that later, the accused left her in front of her house.

Lady Dr Leela who examined the victim told reporters that she bore torture marks on her body.

Political, social leaders of Umerkot district, including zonal incharge MQM Umerkot Haji Mujeeb Kaimkhani, Aijaz Samoon, Mir Hassan Arisar, Mohammad Ali Junejo condemned the excesses of the landlord and demanded of the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the matter and provide justice to the affected family.

VET: Dozens of unemployed veterinary doctors staged a demonstration outside the press club here on Sunday.

Protesters, led by the chief organiser of the forum, Dr Santosh Kumar, and organiser Dr Siddique Marri, were carrying banners and chanting slogans.

Dr Santosh Kumar Malhi said that in Sindh veterinary doctors had been neglected since past 10 years, while in other three provinces veterinary doctors were given jobs by the government.

He demanded of the Sindh chief Minister to provide jobs to them.