SUKKUR: In what appears to be an unusual development, a Jirga on Wednesday evening decided the blood money case of a station house officer (SHO) who was killed during an encounter with outlaws in the riverine area of Shikarpur district about two months ago.

Held in Bagarji town of Sukkur district and presided over by influential feudal lords Mir Abid Hussain Jatoi and Sardarzada Rizwan Khan Odho, the Jirga imposed a fine of Rs4m on a group of Jatoi tribesmen for killing SHO Suhrab Odho during the encounter with dacoits in a gang-infested area falling within the Chak taluka.

The Jirga proceedings were held in the bungalow of Haji Yaar Mohammad Ghumro. The arbitrators were assisted by former MPA Moazzam Abbasi and Haji Kareem Dino Jatoi.

A large number of people from the aggrieved and accused sides attended the proceedings. Representatives of the two sides were given ample time to prove their claims and counter-claims.

Finally, the arbitrators held consultations with their assisting team and found the Jatoi group guilty of killing the SHO.

The Jatois paid Rs500,000 on the spot and promised to pay off the rest of the fine money within the next three months.

‘Grand Jirga’ held in Shikarpur

A ‘grand Jirga’ held in Shikarpur settled an old dispute between the Bhayo community and Chandio tribe who had lost two men each during their hostility.

It was held on Wednesday in Mahar House, Wazirabad, and presided over by former MNA Ghous Bakhsh Mahar.

The arbitrator imposed a fine of Rs5m on each side and also ordered the Bhayos to pay an additional fine of Rs2.5m for starting the bloodshed.

The rival groups are residents of the Jagan area of Lakhi Ghulam Shah taluka.

Prominent figures invited to the Jirga proceedings and assist the arbitrator were MPAs Burhan Khan Chandio and Mohammad Arif Mahar; Babal Khan Bhayo, Najaf Kumariyo, Sardar Jagan Khan Bhayo and Sardar Changhez Khan Panhwar.

A large number of Bayos and Chandios attended the hearing.

The case pertained to the murders of Abdullah and Dhewal from Chandio tribe, and Ghulam Mohammad and Farhan from the Bhayo clan.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024