SUKKUR, May 17: Over 30 families of the Almani tribe have been shifted to safe places in the wake of tension developing between Almani and Mahar tribes in Pano Aqil, Ghotki, and other areas. Shifting of more families from Almani tribe's four villages - Lakhan Almani, Malook Almani, Latif Almani and Bagh Almani - is underway.

The marriage of Shaista Almani and Balkhsher Mahar is said to be the reason behind the prevailing tension between the two tribes. Senior police officials of Sukkur and Ghotki have confirmed that the situation is becoming worse.

Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar and Ghotki District Nazim Ali Gohar Mahar have expressed concern over the shifting of Almani tribesmen. Informed sources said that the chief minister and the Nazim had contacted Sardar Usman Almani in Naushahro Feroze and asked him to visit Pano Aqil and Ghotki to convince his tribesmen not to shift from the area.

Usman Almani on Monday visited the area and held talks with his tribesmen. He assured them that in case of an attack by miscreants of the Almani tribe on the Mahar tribe, Mahar tribesmen would not retaliate.

He will reportedly go to Karachi on Tuesday to submit his report to the chief minister. Khuda Bux Almani, uncle of Shaista, is allegedly responsible for creating the tension as he and his accomplices have refused to accept the court verdict in the case.

He has shifted his family to Sadiqabad and according to police sources, he has been declared an absconder. The Sindh government has taken a serious notice of the situation and alerted DPOs of Sukkur and Ghotki. Police have established check posts in the area to avert any clash.