MUZAFFARGARH/BAHAWALPUR: A man and a woman were killed at free flour points in separate incidents at Jatoi area of Muzaffargarh and Khairpur Tamewali, Bahawalpur.

Reports said elderly Zahra Mai, wife of Allah Ditta, fell down on the ground due to a large gathering at a flour point set up at Moon Marriage Centre, Jatoi.

She died on the spot while two others -- Kundan Mai and an unidentified woman -- fainted and rescue officials shifted them to hospital for treatment.

Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Sherazi visited the spot and formed an inquiry team.

The DC also visited the home of Zahra Mai at Basti Arifwala for condolences. He said he had suspended two duty officials from service.

Muzaffargarh DC, DPO removed

At other flour points in Jatoi, hundreds of people rushed to the trucks and snatched flour bags.

Meanwhile, caretaker Chief minister Mohsin Naqvi removed the Muzaffargarh deputy commissioner and the district police officer on Saturday over negligence in flour distribution. This was the second such incident in the district in the last four days.

In Khairpur Tamewali (Bahawalpur), a man lost his life during distribution of free flour bags on Saturday.

Muhammad Safdar died after he had managed to collect a free four bag from the distribution point in Khairpur Tamewali.

According to official sources and Rescue 1122, Muhammad Safdar had managed to collect a bag from the centre. According to eye witnesses, when he was about to return and was loading his bag on his motorcycle, he fell accidentally and died at the spot. The rescuers tried their utmost to revive him but could not, says an official handout. The rescuers shifted the body to THQ hospital Khairpur Tamewali.

As per the handout, the rescuers noted that deceased’s neck was swollen and his pulse and breath was not operative. According to Medical Superintendent Dr.Attique, the examination showed Safdar was a chronic patient of goitre.

This is the second incident at a free flour centre in Bahawalpur district. Earlier, five women had suffered injuries, one of them critically, at Hasilpur distribution centre the other day.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2023