MIRPURKHAS, Aug 5: Members of the Meghwar community took out a rally in Umerkot on Sunday in protest against failure of police to arrest the accused involved in the kidnapping of Bakhtawar 14-year-old daughter of Prem Meghwar.

Led by PPP leaders Dr Khatumal and Ali Mardan Shah, the protesters carried banners and placards after marching on main roads they reached the press club where they held a demonstration and blocked the Umerkot-Mirpurkhas road. Raising slogans against the police, they demanded of the government to ensure arrest of the accused involved in kidnapping of the girl.

Their leaders said that an FIR of abduction of the girl was

lodged with the Umerkot police four days ago. But the police had failed to arrest the accused whose names were also given to the police.

Heavy contingent of police headed by SPO Umerkot, Zakir Pirani, reached at the spot and negotiated with the representatives of the protesters and assured that those involved in the kidnapping would be arrested and the girl would be recovered. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

All the major markets, bazaars and shopping centres remained closed in Digri town on Sunday to mourn the death of Shabbir Ahmed, resident of Digri who died in Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre, JPMC, Karachi on Saturday.

Shabbir was seriously injured in a firing incident about five days back and was referred to the JPMC. Digri police have lodged the case and arrested the accused Haresh Kumar. All the main markets remained closed.