KARACHI, March 2: As many as 21 females, including two minors, and 83 men were murdered and another 10 women injured in Sindh in the month of February, according to a report issued by the Aurat Foundation here on Thursday.

It said that more than 17 of the victims, 13 of them women, were eliminated under the custom of karo-kari (honour killing). In January, 38 women and 86 men were killed under the same custom.

The facts collected by the NGO state that nine women were subjected to gang-rape and another two were raped whereas the number of the attempted rape cases was six in February. The incidents of gang rape have risen to an alarmingly high level, it was observed.

In one of the gang rape cases, the culprits could not be arrested and police declared them absconders in the final charge-sheet. Another case was declared ‘fake’ by Dadu police and the victim hailing from Ubauro could not get justice. Three women from a minority community (Bagri clan) were gang raped near Larkana.

Regarding suicide, the report stated that at least eight women committed suicides and as many others tried to kill themselves owing to unemployment, forced or underage marriages, domestic disputes, violence, etc. It said that 13 women were kidnapped and another four had gone unaccounted for during the month in the province.

It recorded that 10 couples had to opt for court marriages and leave their families due to disagreements while 16 women faced threats to their lives and sought shelter after choosing to marry on their sweet will.

The NGO claimed that seven women were arrested on different allegations or in place of their close male relative who could not be arrested.

The report noted that despite a ban already imposed on holding of jirgas, at least 10 jirgas were held in February to settle a dispute involving women.

At least seven women and minor girls were given away in compensation under the orders of jirgas and five other women were sold away, the report claimed.

The NGO also made mention of a report suggesting that a groom had shot his bride after accusing her of being a kari (one who maintains extramarital relations) on the first night of their marriage. A 13-year boy was killed and the bride had to be admitted in a hospital for treatment.—PPI