BADIN: Tension grew high in and around Tando Bago town of this district on Sunday when a large number of armed men entered the farmlands of Federal Minister Fehmida Mirza and her family members and took physical possession of the property by holding managers and peasants of Mirzas’ estate at gunpoint.

Reports from the area suggested that the episode caused considerable tension as armed guards of Mirza family’s estate also took up positions to counter the intruders and police and Rangers personnel also rushed to the area to prevent a confrontation. However, no clash took place as the intruders produced some documents pertaining to the ownership/transfer of the estate and made Mirzas’ guards and police realise that they were going to take possession of the land lawfully. The land measures around 1,050 acres.

Speaking to his supporters gathered at a place within the limits of the Pangrio police station, former home minister Dr Zufikar Mirza, alleged: “The goons sent by [Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman] Asif Ali Zardari have occupied our lands”. He warned of serious consequences if action was not taken against the culprits. He, however, asked his supporters to remain peaceful.

Dr Mirza’s elder son, Barrister Hasnain Mirza, who is also the parliamentary party leader of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA ) in the Sindh Assembly, told this reporter that “around 150-200 armed men under the supervision of Bisharat Zardari came and took over his family’s lands. “The lands include those owned by me, my parents and other family members,” he said.

He criticised Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and his government for having adopted “criminal silence” over the episode.

He said he and his family members were in contact with the Sindh IG, Badin SSP and other authorities in this regard.

He alleged that the intruders resorted to heavy firing into the air causing panic and harassment in the Khan Shah union council area of Tando Bago taluka where the lands are situated.

While Assistant Commissioner of Tando Bago Liaqat Ali Baloch declined to comment on the episode, the police and Rangers personnel did not intervene. It was gathered that the intruders possessed “valid” documents pertaining ownership of the lands which prevented the security agencies to take any action against them.

A report received late in the evening suggested that the Mirza family was trying to lodge a complaint/FIR against the intruders at the Pangrio police station.

Badin SSP Hassan Sardar Niazi, talking to local reporters, said the situation in the area was tense but under control.

He said nobody would be allowed to create a law and order situation.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2019