SANGHAR: Fear gripped the district two days ahead of the local government election as four people were killed and six others wounded when activists of two political parties clashed in Sanghar city on Tuesday.

Rallies of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional had the bloody clash near the Catholic church on Sanghar-Bakhoro Road, resulting in the death of four people — PPP veterans Gul Muhammad Mari and Gul Muhammad Shah and police constables Nabi Bux Dero and Ashique Mari.

The police constables were guards of ex-senator Fida Hussain Dero, who was leading the PPP rally. The wounded were Ilyas Bugti, Zohaib Dero, Sher Muhammad Dero, a nephew of Fida Hussain Dero, Mehmood Burdi, Salahuddin and Muhammad Rashid. The wounded were taken to Nawabshah and Hyderabad for treatment. They all belong to the PPP.

The PPP rally, taken out from Tando Adam, was passing through Sanghar to go to Sadhrath UC in connection with an LG campaign. The PML-F had taken out the rally to demand extension in the Rangers’ special powers.

Two of the dead remained lying at the spot for about half an hour. Some vehicles were also damaged after the shooting.

After the incident, the situation in the city became tense. Thousands of people, including top officials of the administration, Rangers and police, gathered at the Civil Hospital Sanghar.

The incident sparked fear across the district. Shops and business centres in Tando Adam, Jhol, Khadro, Perumal and Kandiari were closed.

Later, the police raided Nizamani locality in the city and reportedly arrested some people.

Talking to Dawn, PPP MNA Shazia Atta Mari alleged that the target of the firing was Fida Hussain Dero, adding that his vehicle was sprayed with 16 bullets, but he remained safe as his vehicle was bulletproof. She alleged that it was a planned attack by PML-F activists.

Talking to Dawn, PML-F MNA Pir Bux Junejo said it was an administrative failure.

A meeting of law enforcement agencies, attended by the DIG and the commissioner of Shaheed Benazirabad and other top officials of the district administration, Rangers and police, was held in the DC office in Sanghar to discuss the law and order situation and the smooth conduct of the LG polls to be held on Thursday.

The locals wondered how the police could maintain law and order on election day when they had failed to manage just two rallies. They demanded that the election be held under the supervision of the army.

Attempts were made by this reporter to contact the senior superintendent of police for his comments on the bloody clash, but he did not answer the phone.

The LG elections, originally set to be held on Nov 17, were postponed after the Daraza shooting, which had resulted in the death of 13 people, mostly belonging to the PML-F.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2015