BAHAWALPUR: A woman along with her three minor children allegedly attempted self-immolation on Wednesday in protest against a panchayat’s verdict in Ahmadpur Sharqia.

Fatima Bibi doused herself and her two sons Hussain, Tayyub and daughter Shabana in petrol in protest against a decision of the panchayat at Munir Shaheed Chowk.

On Tuesday, a panchayat forced her husband Allah Nawaz to pay within two days a sum of Rs600,000 which he had allegedly stolen from landlord Nazar Hussain at Tibbi Izzt village.

A large number of people gathered at the scene and averted her attempt.

SHO Tahir Iqbal confirmed the incident and said a case [of suicide attempt] against Allah Nawaz was registered. He said the panchayat headed by Riffat Rehmani asked Nawaz to pay the [stolen] amount after a foot tracer (khoji) found his alleged involvement in the theft.

No action against any punchayat member was taken.

LAND ROW: Eight people, including three women, allegedly cut tresses of a girl over a land dispute on Wednesday in Sanjrani Baloch locality of Musafirkhana police precincts, about 25km from here.

Police said 22-year-old girl ‘S’ had a land dispute with her relatives. On Wednesday, Khursheed Bibi, Zubaida, Samina, Khadim, Ata Muhamad and Falak Shair along with two others allegedly tortured the girl, cut her tresses and kidnapped her.

Later, police rescued the girl and claimed to have arrested two suspects Khadim and Khursheed Bibi. The police have registered a case against them under sections 447, 511, 334, 148, 149 and 337 of PPC.

Raids are under way for the arrest of other suspects.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2017