SUKKUR, Jan 28: The president of Hindu Panchayat, Jacobabad, Sadham Chand Chawla, was shot dead by unidentified persons in Jacobabad on Monday.

His murder has created a sense of insecurity in the people of the city as he was not only an influential leader of Hindu community but also popular in Muslim community of Jacobabad.

Reports reaching here said that Sadham Chand was coming from his Talani Rice Mills. When he came near Muqeem Khan Khoso Road, some armed men hiding in the area ambushed and shot him dead.

He died on the spot. The news of his killing spread like jungle fire in Jacobabad leading to the closure of retail as well as wholesale markets immediately.

Hundreds of the residents of Jacobabad including influential persons of the area gathered in front of his house and raised slogans against the police and administration for failing to provide the deceased protection.

However nobody was ready to guess who was behind the murder. The brother of deceased, Kunwar Chawla, also avoided to offer any comment on the murder. Former MNA Sardar Muqeem Khan Khoso termed it a political murder.

Sadham Chand belonged to the political group of former National Assembly speaker Elahi Bukhsh Soomro.

He reportedly had some rivalry in Hindu community. Recently he was elected president of Hindu Panchayat, Jacobabad, after a tough fight.

The trader community has announced three-day closure of shops and businesses in Jacobabad to mourn the death of Sadham Chand.

He left behind a widow, four sons, a daughter and three brothers.

Jacobabad administration adapted tight security measures and extra vigilance in the city after the murder. Heavy police force was deployed on the sensitive points including in front of his house.