LARKANA, Dec 24: Four people were killed and 12 others, five of them policemen, were injured in clashes in the Qambar town on Friday between police and a large crowd protesting against the Sindh government's decisions of making Shahdadkot, instead of Qambar, a new district.

Taluka Nazim Sardar Khan Chandio accused police of firing on protesters. However, District Police Officer Muzaffar Sheikh told journalists that police used tear-gas shells and batons and resorted only to aerial firing when an unruly mob attacked the Qambar police station and tried to storm the 'malkhana'.

The protesters, he said, also held hostage the policemen on duty and ransacked the police station and the TPO's office. Disputing the DPO's claim the taluka nazim said that he himself had seen the DPO and his three SHOs firing on protesters.

According to independent sources, it all started when police detained two local people, Wazeer Meno and Nadir Gopang, from a roadside restaurant near Khabri Makan. When the news reached the protesters at the main chowk the crowd marched on to the police station and surrounded it. A clash ensued and police used batons and tear-gas shells.

Some people claiming to be eye-witnesses said that police opened fire on protesters near the Mian Mangan road. However, the DPO denied the claim and said that police had not been deployed at the place. He suggested that some third elements might have fired on the crowd.

The town of Qambar wore a deserted look and roads were littered with bricks, stones and burnt tyres. The taluka nazim alleged that police had broken into the taluka office when a meeting was being held and broke the furniture and window-panes.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammed Ramzan Channa told Dawn that an inquiry would be held into the tragic incident and those found guilty would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The DIG who had rushed from Sukkur, along with DPO Jacobabad Din Mohammed Baloch, held talks with the taluka nazim in the presence of the Larkana DCO and tried to defuse the situation.

The taluka nazim said that an FIR would be registered against the DPO Larkana. He said he hoped that President Pervez Musharraf would look into the matter and "do justice".

The DPO said that 10 people had been detained. However, it is learnt that the number of people taken into custody is about 50. A heavy contingent of police was stationed at the Qambar police station and the Rangers were seen patrolling the town on Friday night. Those killed yesterday have been identified as Nasir Ali Rajput, Abdul Fatah Tunio, Riaz Busiro and Madad Ali Magsi.