MITHI: Qaumi Awami Tehreek chief Ayaz Latif Palijo has said the Sindh government’s announcement of Rs10 million compensation for bereaved family of Dodo Bheel, who died reportedly after torture by security guards of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, was tantamount to adding insult to their injury.

Palijo told media persons after expressing condolence with heirs of the labourer in Abab-Jo-Tarr village near Islamkot on Wednesday that the announcement suggested that the rulers wanted to silence Tharis by giving them money after killing and committing brutalities.

“The women of the bereaved family, including wife and mother of Dodo met me and said that their conscience did not allow them to meet the ministers who came early on Wednesday,” he said.

He said the “murder” of the poor worker had exposed dangerous plans of PPP rulers for resources of Thar and rest of the province and asked police officials to stop committing atrocities against peaceful people of Thar.

Palijo appealed to the federal government to take notice of unchecked brutalities with poor people of Sindh, who were groaning under abject poverty and living in subhuman conditions due to the worst governance.

He claimed that under a dangerous conspiracy, vast areas in Thar were being fenced to restrict movement of people within their own lands and villages and setting up of “torture cells” was proof that the desert region was being converted into an “occupied territory”.

He lashed out at PPP leaders for depriving people of Thar of safe drinking water by committing massive corruption in water supply projects. All health units as well as school buildings in the entire desert district were in a shambles and people were forced to commit suicide, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2021