DADU, June 20: Four people were killed in an armed attack on Dawood Mirjat village in Mehar taluka on Friday over fish pond dispute.

Reports said two groups from Mirjat and Punhal Khan Chandio villages clashed resulting in the death of Ghulam Hussain, Rafique, Bakhshal and Abbas Mirjat. Armed Chandio tribesmen also burnt five houses.

A large number of people, including women of Mirjat community placed the dead bodies on Indus Highway in protest against the killings, for at least three hours. Agitators were led by Abdul Latif and Kaloo Khan Mirjat.

Abdul Latif said armed men from Punhal Chandio village attacked their houses, killed four people and kidnapped Nadir Mirjat and three others.

He said firing was going on between the rival groups since last three days over fish pond matter but Mehar police did not help them. He said attackers also set ablaze five houses.

District Police Officer Manzoor Hussain Khatiyan and SP Investigation Sikandar Mangi visited the spot and assured villagers to arrest the accused.

Later, they ended the protest, took the bodies to Dawood Mirjat village after autopsy from the Taluka Hospital Mehar.

DPO Manzoor Hussain Khatiyan said there was an old dispute on fish pond between Chandio and Mirjat people which claimed four lives but none had been kidnapped.

The DPO said heavy contingent of police was deployed at Punhal Chandio village to arrest the killers.

The DPO suspended the SHO Thariri Mohbat police station Javed Lakhair for his failure to control the situation.