HYDERABAD, Jan 7: Around 2,397 FIRs have been registered against more than half a million alleged accused in incidents of looting, arson, and vandalism in 18 district of interior Sindh, while more than 700 people arrested after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

There are also reports that a large number of people not officially declared arrested have been detained by police. Registration of FIRs continues as people suffering losses during disturbances continue to report at different police stations hoping against hope to get compensated.

Needless to say the overwhelming majority of alleged accused belong to the PPP and Sword of Damocles is hanging over the head of those shown unidentified in the FIRs.

According to reports reaching here from different parts of Sindh, more than 100,000 accused have been booked in Khairpur district, 91,571 in Thatta, 82,107 in Naushahro Feroz and 75,400 in Jacobabad.

In Khairpur 264 FIRs have been registered against more than 100,000 accused and 14 arrested; in Thatta, 227 FIRs registered against 91,571 accused, while 10 arrested; in Naushahro Feroze, 305 FIRs registered against 82,107 accused with 14 arrests; and in Jacobabad, 87 FIRs registered against 75,400 while 43 arrested.

In Tando Muhammad Khan, 125 FIRs have been registered against 17,000 accused and 35 arrested and in Matiari, 35 FIRs registered against 6,000 while 30 people arrested.

In Nawabshah, 72 FIRs have been registered against 13,883 accused and 85 arrested and in Sanghar district, 49 FIRs registered against 5,090 while 19 people arrested.

In Shikarpur district, 17,309 accused have been booked in 54 FIRs while 26 arrested and in Tharparkar district, 24 FIRs registered against 2,142 while 37 accused arrested.

In Badin, 187 FIRs have been registered against 10,000 accused while 74 arrested and in Kashmore-Kandhkot district, 38,763 accused booked in 65 FIRs with 41 arrested.

In Tando Allahyar, 10,058 accused have been booked in 63 FIRs while 23 arrested and in Mirpurkhas district, 91 FIRs registered against 28,594 accused while 42 arrested.

In Umerkot, 19 FIRs have been registered against 16,000 accused while 16 arrested; in Dadu, 235 FIRs registered against 9,400 with 40 arrested; and in Jamshoro, 143 FIRs registered while 26 arrested.

In Hyderabad, 352 FIRs have been registered while 142 accused arrested.

The number and details of FIRs registered in Larkana, Sukkur and Ghotki districts are not included in this list.