SUKKUR, July 14 The law and order situation in the Ghotki district has almost broke down and it has plummeted further during the last four weeks. Due to this peculiar scenario, several areas have become 'no go areas' while the district administration and the police have virtually failed to control the deteriorating situation.

People belonging to Ghotki and adjacent areas, including Mirpur Mathelo, Khanpur Mahar, Jarwar, Daharki and Ubauro, maintain that these areas were worst- hit due to the prevailing scenario. They further said that the influential personalities, waderas and landlords having influence over the administration and, as a result, these two important wings of the provincial set up have become ineffective.

Business activities have been hit badly and due to harassment everyone is afraid of each other. On Monday, at least nine persons belonging to different communities were first kidnapped and later gunned down by the rival groups due to old enmities. This incident further increased tension and harassment in the area and people have virtually been forced to stay indoor.

Armed men belonging to Solangi, Kosh, Bozdar, Loond, Mahar and Pitafi could be seen entrenched against each other in different areas and the whole area of the Ghotki district has become a replica of a battle field.

After sunset, people do not come out of their houses as the warring groups entrench themselves against each other.

Most of the areas have been declared 'no go' where barricades have been erected to close the ways. The incidents of highway robberies, motorcycle snatching, kidnapping and looting were increasing with every passing day.

The area people have set up their own security system for protection of their r lives and properties. The business activities were suspended since the people from rural areas were not coming towards the urban areas for buying items of daily consumption.

The police were only doing the business of registering cases but not arresting anyone involved in creating law and order situation.

This correspondent tried his best to contact DPO Ghotki Jawed Jiskani on his cell phone to know his version over the situation in Ghotki and a war-like situation among different communities for the last three days, but failed.

People belonging to different walks of life have appealed the government to bound the district administration and the police to maintain law and order, take action against the influential who were behind the elements who were creating law and order problem.