KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail on Tuesday took notice of the alleged kidnapping and killing of a teenage girl, Ramsha Wassan, in Khairpur district five days ago and asked the inspector general of police (IGP) to submit to him a detailed report regarding the matter.

Officials at the Governor House said the governor also asked the IGP to ensure an impartial investigation into the alleged murder and arrest of those involved in it.

KHAIRPUR: Khairpur police carried out raids at several places in different villages but failed to find alleged killers, nominated by the family of 13-year-old Ramsha.

A police team led by City ASP carried out raids on suspected hideouts of Zulfiqar Wassan aka Zulfoo and his associates, said to be influential figures of Khairpur. Ghaffar Wassan, a close friend of Zulfoo, was detained for interrogation, the ASP said.

Ramsha’s mother had alleged that Ghaffar accompanied Zulfoo when her daughter was killed. Police have also detained another person, Imtiaz Wassan, who they claimed had remained in contact with the suspects.

Meanwhile, a social organisation calling itself Voice of Khairpur held a demonstration outside the local press club on Tuesday in which people from different walks of life, including doctors and lawyers, participated.

The protesters demanded immediate arrest of all nominated suspects.

Dr Farrukh Bhanbhro, Advocate Fayyaz Khamisani and others condemned that the 13-year-old girl was killed with a burst of Kala­shnikov which spoke volumes about feudal mindset and brutality.

They urged the prime minister, Sindh chief minister, judiciary and IGP to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment to the culprits.

Meanwhile, the governor also took notice of desecration of a Hindu temple in Kumb town of Khairpur district upon receiving such a report from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNA Jai Prakash Ukrani.

In a statement issued from Governor House on Tuesday, Governor Imran Ismail said such incidents were part of a conspiracy to sabotage the prevalent interfaith harmony and religious concord in the province. He said the government was making all-out efforts to ensure safety and security of minorities.

Separately, MNA Ramesh Kumar, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, proceeded to Kumb, located in Kot Diji taluka, to visit the temple.

He, along with the Sukkur commissioner, Khairpur deputy commissioner and Sukkur deputy inspector general, visited the temple and examined the damage caused to it.

He also spoke to members of the local Hindu community and collected details of the incident.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2019