June 01, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

MIRPURKHAS, May 31: Umerkot sessions judge on Saturday set 53 farm workers at liberty who were recovered after a raid on a private jail belonging to MNA Faqir Jadim Mangrio, former advisor to Sindh chief minister, in Khadrai village of Kunri taluka, about 100 kilometres from here.

The Kunri civil judge and judicial magistrate, on the orders of sessions’ judge, conducted the raid on the private jail and found the 53 detainees there.

The liberated farm workers, including 12 women and 21 children, were then produced before the sessions’ judge who set them at liberty after recording their statements.

Jumoon Bheel and Khamiso, liberated farm workers, said that they arrived at Jadam Mangrio’s agriculture farm three months ago to earn their livelihood through wheat harvesting but the landlord’s watchman Photo Bheel restricted their movement and subjected them to compulsory labour.

They said that when they refused to work Jadim’s brother, Maroof Mangrio, who looked after land on his behalf, would subject them to severe torture and alleged that Wagho Bheel, son of Photo Bheel, used to harass their young girls.

Faqir Ali Bux Mangrio, another brother of Jadim Mangrio, termed the allegations baseless.

BIRTH ANNIVARSARY: The Umerkot chapter of the Pakistan People’s Party finalised arrangements for a cultural and literary programme titled “Poorab Jai” (Daughter of East) on June 4, to mark the birth anniversary of the slain party leader Benazir Bhutto.

Sindh Minister for Low-cost Housing and Human Resources Syed Ali Mardan Shah chaired a meeting in this regard, which was told that the programme would start in the evening of June 4 at Marvi ground with Malakhro in which 36 wrestlers would demonstrate their skills.

The event would be presided over by MPA Haji Ali Murad Rajar.

A Mushaira will be held at Lohana community hall on the second day, which would be chaired by Sardar Shah while MPA Nawab Taimoor Talpur would be chief guest on the occasion.

Syed Ali Mardan Shah would preside over a programme on June 8 while MNA Nawab Yusuf Talpur will be chief guest. The programme will be organised by Anwar Ali Rajar.

Syed Noor Ali Shah, Anwar Ali Rajar, Allah Bachayo Aseer and Burhan Kumbhar were among those who attended the meeting.

ARREST: Personnel of Mirpurkhas excise police arrested an alleged narcotics trafficker in Degan Bhurgari town and seized five kilogramme charas in his possession after a raid.