DERA GHAZI KHAN, Jan 28: Anarchy prevailing in Rojhan Mazari, in Rajanpur district, is the outcome of neglect shown by the government and law-enforcement agencies during the last eight years.
Kidnapping for ransom and carjacking is order of the day. The Indus Highway, from Kashmore to Jampur tehsil, has been the main target of warring tribes.
The main segment of Rojhan population is Mazari tribe. Known as arid zone, the area is poverty stricken and, probably, the most backward in the Punjab.
The district in general and Rojhan Mazari in particular is notorious for honour killings. According to official figures, the area is atop the list of such crimes.
It is worth mentioning for the record that a complete village in the area namely Behishti Patti is known as huge brothel, the dwellers of the village also deal in contrabands.
The tehsil became a favourite hunting ground of the Bugti outlaws in 1994 when they (the Bugtis) claimed their share from a Mazari contractor who was carrying stones and sand from tribal areas housing the Mazaris. The Bugtis, however, claimed that the area was in their limits.
There is no clear demarcation of border between Balochistan and Punjab along Rajanpur district. The Bugtis once reportedly claimed that the Indus was their provincial border.
In 1999, a truce was solemnized after negotiations between Nawab Akbar Bugti’s brother Ahmad Nawaz Khan Bugti and Zulfiqar Bugti (currently Dera Bugti Nazim) between Riaz Khan Mazari and Rafiq Azam Mazari (Rohjan tehsil Nazim). However, the situation did not improve.
Among the victims of Bugti outlaws are a political assistant and the Rajanpur SSP who were deprived of their jeeps which were retrieved after paying ransom money.
The outlaws kidnapped a doctor and released him after getting ransom. In December 2001, three people — Qasim, Chandi and Jaapan — were kidnapped by a combined gang of Bugti-Mazari outlaws near the Sheikhwali border military police post. Those abducted were poor shepherds who could not secure their release.
On Dec 11, 2001, Karim Bakhsh got himself released after paying Rs200,000.
Trader Ghulam Mohammed Rajpoot was kidnapped on Jan 3, 2002, from busy Rojhan Chowk. Gulrani Mazari was shot dead by Bugti outlaws while Esani Mazari was kidnapped by another gang.
On Feb 3, three people from Mazari sub-tribe Gandi were shot dead before their family. Those killed were Haji Shehdad, Ramzan and Nabi Bakhsh. The next day, Bugti outlaws fired rockets on Daulli BMP post.
One of those released by the outlaws told Dawn that he was abducted near the radar installation of the Civil Aviation Authority to the west of Rohjan tehsil in Pacchad, hardly a kilometre away from the Indus Highway. He said the kidnappers had taken him to Neelag (Bugti area) and kept him in a cave for several days. He was released after paying ransom through Bugti mediators who were stated to be SNGPL employees.
In 2001, three people were shot dead by the outlaws. They were on routine patrolling for the protection of houbara bustards in the area. On Nov 4, 2002, M. Bakhsh and Mir Mohammad of the Wildlife Department sustained injuries in an attack by Bugtis.
On Nov 22, 2002, a vehicle owned by UAE dignitaries, in which a vigilance team for houbara bustard was boarded, blew up with the explosion of a landmine. Nau Haq, the son of Wahid Bakhsh Esani, lost his legs, while Ali Nawaz and Gulzar Ahmad sustained critical injuries and were taken to the Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Rahimyar Khan. It is for the record that sanctuary of hobara bustard, a prey bird in the area, is also the target of Bugti culprits who catch the bird for sale in Arab states at a handsome price.
Arab VIPs could not come for hunting during the current and last years due to the insecure atmosphere of the area.
On Sunday night, Bugti outlaws kidnapped the Saddar DSP and the Rojhan SHO along with their guards. The DSP was later released.