BADIN: As many as 35 men, women and children were injured when two rival groups of disciples clashed outside the shrine of revered Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman in Luari Sharif town of Badin district on Monday.

The shrine had been sealed decades ago over the issue of its custodianship, claimed by the two rival groups. Many disciples have died and many others injured in clashes that have taken place during the period. Heavy damage was caused to houses in arson attacks in such violent incidents in the town.

The provincial auqaf department had made several attempts to reopen it for cleaning or renovation but every time the rival groups took such attempts as a pretext to arbitrarily decide the custodianship issue, making the department to keep it closed.

Leaders of one group, Fatehullah Junejo, Aqeel Ahmed, Mir Piyar Ali Talpur and Fida Hussain, had organised congregations at various press clubs in Sindh on Monday to celebrate the 43rd birth anniversary of Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi Naqashbandi, a descendant of Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman.

The leaders spoke at one such programme held at Badin Press Club and they, along with a large number of their followers coming from different areas of the province, proceeded to the shrine where the main congregation was to be held.

Reports from the town suggested that members of the rival group also rushed to the shrine and warned them against any attempt to take it over. The situation grew tense and a free-for-all ensued. The pitched battle left 35 men, women and children injured. They were taken to the Indus (Civil) Hospital for treatment. Some of them were reportedly referred to the Hyderabad Civil Hospital due to their gave injuries.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2022