May 18, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

SHIKARPUR, May 17: A man was killed and 21 others were injured when clashes broke out between supporters of PPP and NPP candidates on Saturday during re-polling on 18 stations for NA-202 Shikarpur-I and 17 stations for PS-12 Shikarpur-IV.

The re-polling was held in compliance with a Supreme Court order. Aftab Shaban Mirani of the PPP and Dr Ibrahim Jatoi of the NPP were contesting for NA-202 Shikarpur-I.

PPP candidate Agha Arsalan Khan and NPP candidate Mir Abid Hussain Jatoi were in the field for PS-12 Shikarpur-IV Khanpur.

According to Yousuf Badani, the father, and Abdullah Badani, the uncle of deceased Habibullah Badani and Dalel Badani, the manager of Dr Ibrahim Jatoi, a dispute arose when PPP MNA Mehrin Bhutto and her party’s workers disturbed the polling work at ladies polling station number 164 in Sahib Dino Badani area of Khanpur taluka.They said that bodyguards of Mr Mirani and Agha Arsalan opened fire on voters in which Habibullah Badani Jatoi was killed and six of his relatives Ashraf Badani, Qalandar Bux Badani, Rahim Bux Badani, Allah Dino Badani and two women, whose names could not be ascertained, were injured.

PPP candidate for PS-12 Agha Arsalan and MNA Nafisa Shah said bodyguards of Mr Mirani and Mr Pathan were not involved in firing that took place during the polling.

They said the incident occurred outside the polling station. They said FIRs would be registered against people allegedly involved in attacking PPP agents, leaders and workers.

In other incidents, a PPP minister, MNAs, MPAs, local office-bearers and several polling agents were thrashed and beaten up by the Jatois. They were: Sindh Minister for Women Development Touqeer Fatima Bhutto, MNA Nafisa Shah, MNA Fouzia Wahab, MPA Shagufta Jumani and others.

During clashes at various polling stations, the Jatois also damaged vehicles of Agha Arsalan Khan and other PPP MNAs, MPAs by throwing bricks, stones and sticks and resorting to firing.

PPP agents and party leaders said NPP candidates Dr Ibrahim Jatoi and Mir Abid Hussain Jatoi tried to cast 80 per cent of the votes by showing fake national identity cards.

On the objection raised by the polling staff and PPP agents about the fake NICs, the Jatois tried to attack them.

Those injured in clashes were PPP agents Janib Bhayo, Haq Nawaz Bhayo, Ghulam Shabbir Abro and PPP workers at Kot Shahoo and other polling stations.

No FIR was registered about the killing till the filing of this report.

Dr Ibrahim Jatoi and Manzar Ali Jatoi said polling process started one to two hours late and PPP agents and their leaders were involved in creating disturbances during polls.