This is with reference to a news item, “Ten killed in tribal fighting in Sindh “(July 9). Ten people were killed in the Qambrani-Magsi dispute over a minor issue. But people were up in arms against each other and tension followed in Shikarpur. Almost seven people lost their lives in a Magneja-Alhora feud last month in the same district.
It shows the poor performance of the Shikarpur police. I wonder how these people get sophisticated weapons when people cannot buy wheat.
The law-enforcement agencies have failed in controlling the growing lawlessness in upper Sindh. People find it difficult to visit markets during day time due to lawlessness.
It is the prime responsibility of the state to maintain the law and order situation at any cost. Illiteracy and the failure of the lower courts to provide justice to victims are a major cause of these feuds.
It is also regrettable that culprits openly walk in market places and take shelter in the autaqs of feudal lords. Innumerable schools have been closed down owing to these clashes and there are many no-go areas around.
Law-enforcement agencies seem helpless and at the mercy of the feudal lords when the clashes take place, especially in Jacobabad, Kandakot, Ghotki disricts that face tribal clashes.
It is the common man who suffers in these feuds. In fact, a handful of sardars have been creating a law and order situation in upper Sindh but neither feudal lords nor custodians of law seem committed to dealing with the problem in an effective way. The attitude of the police is always partial and disappointing. It is lamentable that without the permission of a feudal lord even the police cannot make a raid to apprehend miscreants.
These clashes have badly affected the academic and economic sector of the area. As the Jirga system has been proved a failure in settling disputes, speedy justice needs to be executed through civil courts. Holding jirgas is neither defined in our law nor is it in accordance with Islamic law.
I appeal to Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary to intervene and take suo motu notice in the Magsi-Qambrani clashes in Shikarpur. De-weaponisation is the only solution to this grave issue and so law enforcement agencies should be directed to carry out a major clean-up operation in these areas.
DR. FARUKH BHANDHRO
Khairpur Mir
