SUKKUR: The over two-year-long bloody conflict between the Sawand and Sundrani communities that has already claimed lives of two dozen people, including renowned educationist and researcher Prof Dr Ajmal Sawand, was finally brought to an end by, what is described as ‘grand jirga’, held at Gohar Palace in Khangarh town of Ghotki district on Friday.

The grand jirga, participated by many feudal lords and community elders, and attended by a large number of ordinary people, started at Thursday afternoon and continued into late Friday night.

It was presided over by Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar, who was assisted by several expert arbitrators of tribal culture.

After hearing the two sides, the jirga held Sundranis responsible for 13 murders, including that of Prof Dr Ajmal Sawand, while Sawands were declared responsible for 11 murders, one of them of Sardar Abid Khan Sundrani’s cousin, Advocate Noor Ilahi.

Rs10m each blood money fixed for renowned educationist Dr Ajmal Sawand and Sardar Mir Abid Sundrani’s cousin

The ruling issued by the jirga noted that a total of 24 people had been killed and 20 others injured in this hostility. It fixed different amounts of blood money as well as fine for causing injuries and other offenses.

It ordered the Sundranis to pay a total of Rs32.1m to Sawands for killing 13 people and injuring 12 others. The Sawands were ordered to pay a total of Rs35.1m to Sundranis for killing 11 people and injuring eight others. The blood money included Rs10m each fixed for Prof Ajmal Sawand and Advocate Noor Ilahi. A fine money of Rs1.1m was imposed for firing on Prof Sawand’s car. Another big amount of fine, Rs4m, was against the killing of a young girl, Bushra Sawand, by Sundranis.

Pronouncing the ruling in front of a large crowd, Sardar Ali Gohar made it loud and clear that any side found to have violated any terms and conditions of this settlement would be liable to pay a fine of Rs20m.

Heads and elders of the two embattled communities announced that they were now burying the hatchet and would strictly follow the terms and condition laid down by the grand jirga to live in peace and ensure security of each other’s life and property.

Guarantors and witnesses

Prominent figures among the guarantors and witnesses of the jirga proceedings and ruling were Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Sardar Mir Abid Khan Sundrani, Dr Ali Nawaz Sawand, Dr Mohammad Tariq Sawand, Mohammad Khan Junejo, Ghous Bakhsh Khan Mahar, Sardar Jalal Khan Kalpar Bugti, Sardar Mehboob Ali Khan Bijarani, Mir Shabbir Ali Khan Bijarani, Asghar Khan Chachar, Abdul Subhan Sawand, Sardar Sikandar Khan Kakepoto, Manzoor Ahmed Sawand, Mir Ehsan Khan Sundrani and Mir Shafqat Khan Sundrani.

Security arrangements

Stringent security measures were taken by government and tribal chieftains to avoid any unwanted incident during the jirga proceedings considering the fact that high-profile personalities, besides many tribesmen, clansmen and community members embroiled in other bilateral and trilateral disputes, were in attendance at the palace.

Apparently on the very consideration, separate seating arrangements were made particularly for Sundranis and Sawands.

After peaceful conclusion of the proceedings, Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar thanked all the participating tribal chieftains, Sardars, waderas and community elders for reposing trust in him and making the grand jirga a success. He also congratulated the Sawand and Sundrani communities on the peaceful settlement of their dispute.

He noted with concern that mostly innocent people were killed and injured in such hostilities.

He also vowed to continue is efforts for bringing an end to all such conflicts in the upper Sindh region and other parts of Sindh.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024