SUKKUR, April 4: On the order of a senior police official, Rs150 were deducted from the salary of each policeman of the district on Thursday.

The deduction was made to collect money for payment to the family of an innocent villager, killed by policeman, according to a Jirga decision.

Deceased Nihal Lashari was on his way to his village with his neighbours when he was shot dead by the policemen at a check-post in Kandhkot city. The policemen, involved in the incident, later claimed that they had mistaken Mr Lashari and his companions for outlaws.

The Lashari tribe came up with a strong reaction over the murder by staging several protest demonstrations and blocking the Indus Highway.

Later at a Jirga, the police agreed to pay a compensation of Rs250,000 to the family of the deceased, for the collection of which Rs150 was deducted from the salaries of the policemen.

The deduction has strongly been resented by policemen of the district.

This correspondent tried to contact the DIG, Ramzan Channa, and newly appointed DPO, Jacobabad, Din Mohammed Baloch, but they were not available for commenting on the issue.