HYDERABAD: Panic struck New Sabzi Mandi on Monday when private security guards of Market Committee chairman Shahnawaz Rind allegedly resorted to firing into the air amid a heated argument between two shop-owners over some construction work intended to be undertaken by one of them.

Reports said that a fruit trader, Mr Saeed, intended to build his shop on his plot Nos. 50/55 on a 10-ft-wide road in front of two other shops owned by Faiz Bhutto in the fruit section of the mandi. Apparently due to erroneous demarcation in the revised layout plan, they indulged in a heated argument.

Mr Bhutto told Dawn that Mr Rind was allowing Mr Saeed to build his shop in front of his (Bhutto’s) shops.

Amid a tense situation, Mr Rind’s private guards came and allegedly misbehaved with Mr Bhutto. Mr Rind also arrived and Mr Bhutto argued with him over the matter. The guards again misbehaved with traders and allegedly resorted to firing into the air. Some traders picked stones to face them but due to firing, they ran for shelter.

Mr Rind ordered closure of mandi’s main gate which caused panic among traders, who feared that they might be attacked by the armed guards. Police also arrived there to restore order.

Later, Mr Rind denied the claim that any shots were fired. He said he was there to check encroachment and when he tried to do so, some traders got angry and exchanged hot words with him.

Mr Bhutto said he feared for his life as armed guards were roaming in the mandi. He said he left the mandi following the incident.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2021