JHANG: Uneasy calm prevails at Sultan Bahu village after a bloody clash between two groups over a piece of land on May 27.

Three persons were killed and 24 others injured in an armed clash between two groups headed by Najeeb Sultan and Habib Sultan, son-in-law of MNA Sahibzada Nazeer Sultan and nephew of former Jhang district nazim Sahibzada Hameed Sultan.

A case (property dispute) had been pending with the court of the commissioner. On May 22 last, the Ahmadpur Sial revenue authorities, with the assistance of local police, stormed the disputed property and handed it over to Habib Sultan after demolishing the houses and shops.

A few days later, on May 27, Najeeb Sultan and a number of his supporters, armed to the teeth, visited the property and tried to reclaim it. The move was resisted by the rival group and this led to an exchange of fire that continued for a couple of hours, leaving three people dead and 24 injured.

Police recorded versions of both parties and 50 people have been nominated in the FIR lodged on the complaint of Habib Sultan, while Najeeb Sultan group nominated 26 people. No arrest has been made so far.

A source told this correspondent that the dispute had nothing to do with the succession to ‘gadi’ of the shrine. The matter is in court and Najeeb Sultan, son of first Sajjadanashen Sahibzada Faiz Sultan, and Sahibzada Muneeb Sultan, son of Sahibzada Ghulam Jilani, decided that they would accept the decision of the civil court.

Sultan Bahu village is about 80 kilometres away from the district headquarters and is close to Garh Maharaja and Ahmadpur Sial towns. It enjoys fame and respect due to the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahu. The shrine has huge property in different parts of the country and 455 kanal are attached to it and joint property of the Sahibzadgan.

At present, the affairs of the shrine are being supervised by a five-member committee headed by the district and sessions judge.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2016