GUJRAT, Aug 17: The law and order situation in Kharian circle police further deteriorated on Tuesday with the murder of a private school owner by three unidentified bandits in Malka village.

Subedar Mohammad Fazal (retired) who runs a private school in Bhatian village, was on his way to a nearby mosque to offer Fajar prayers when three men intercepted him, and stabbed him to death on resistance.

Police have registered a case on the complaint of Yousaf, brother of the slain. Residents of Malka village held a protest rally soon after the murder of Fazal and chanted slogans against the police.

About 10 days ago, a former UC chairman Malik Gulzar Awan was on his way to offer Isha prayers when some unknown men shot at and injured him. Meanwhile, unidentified thieves took away a Pajero (GAD-83) of Riasat Khan from the precincts of Kharian Sadar police.

Reports revealed that the entire Kharain Sadar police area had been in the grip of crime for the last 10 days. In Sara-i-Alamgir, four bandits looted passengers of a bus while a police officer was among the victims. The incident was followed by the kidnapping of a woman of an influential family of Haqiqa village by 10 gangsters who later released her after taking Rs1.5 million as ransom.

Another incident took place in Jinnah Colony where seven dacoits took away cash and valuables worth Rs0.5 million from the house of District Baatul Mal Chairman Chaudhry Iqbal Paswal.

Police have failed in apprehending the culprits in all the cases. Kharian DSP Raja Riaz was not available in his office when contacted to take his comments over the rising incidence of crime.