BADIN: Situation in Luari Sharif town grew tense on Saturday when a group of disciples of Sufi Saint Khawaja Mohammad Zaman assembled in a large number at a house near his shrine on the eve of the birth anniversary of Sufi Faiz Mohammad Korejo — one of the revered custodians of the shrine — and a rival group raised objection over the event citing an official ban in place on such congregations for decades.

A strong contingent of police moved into action and surrounded the shrine fearing a clash as the rival groups claiming its custodianship had indulged in many violent incidents since 1985. Many people had lost their lives and many more injured in the first such incident, which led to the closure of shrine for almost four decades. Several casualties occurred whenever any of the two groups tried to hold a congregation close to the shrine.

On Saturday, one group (calling itself the Nishat Tanzeem) led by Abdul Rehman Baloch held a congregation in a private guest house in the town on the eve of Sufi Faiz Korejo’s birth anniversary which provoked a street protest by the rival group, led by Abdul Sattar Junejo and Mir Tariq. The protesters blocked the main Badin-Kadhan road at three points demanding action against the Nishat Tanzeem for violating the ban.

According to Badin SSP Shahnawaz Chachar, holding a congregation away from the shrine was not banned, explaining that the ban was restricted to the holding of urs. He said negotiations were held with the protesters and they were persuaded to disperse peacefully.

On Jan 25, 2020, the shrine was reopened by the auqaf department but had to be sealed again due to heightening tension involving the rival groups over its custodianship.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2022