Sukhio paid the fine after selling his livestock, but refused to barter his daughters.. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD
SUKKUR:
A jirga held in district Ghotki, within the limits of Khanpur Mahar police station, has ordered a man to pay a heavy fine and barter two girls to settle a four-year-old dispute between two groups. The family, on their refusal to barter the girls, was ordered to leave the village.
The jirga was held at Haji Khan Mahar village on Thursday and was presided by landlord Allah Yar Khan Mahar. It was meant to settle the dispute between two groups of the Mahar tribe, represented by Mai Farzana Mahar and Sukhio Mahar.
The jirga decided that Sukhio had injured Mai Farzana and ordered the former to pay a fine of Rs500,000 as well as barter two of his minor daughters, five-year-old Saleemat and three-year-old Naseema.
Sukhio paid the fine after selling his livestock, but refused to barter his daughters. Incensed by the refusal, the landlord allegedly occupied Sukhio's house and ordered him to leave the village. Following their ouster, the family took shelter at a dargah [shrine] in the desert.
Conflicting versions
Four years ago, a scuffle had ensued between two groups in the village. Mai Farzana was injured in the clash and her brother, landlord Allah Yar Khan Mahar, had accused Sukhio of firing the shots. Subsequently, Sukhio had fled from the village with his family to avoid a backlash.
When the family came back to the village on Thursday, the landlord sought him out and held a jirga which imposed the penalties.
Sources in Khanpur Mahar, however, claim the story is fabricated. According to one source, Sukhio is a first cousin of Mai Farzana. Both families had earlier married their children with each other's. He added that Sukhio had indeed shot and injured Mai Farzana over a small dispute around four years ago and the police had registered an FIR against Sukhio. The assailant had, however, fled with the family.
For his part, Khanpur Mahar SHO Abdul Majeed Arain said that Mai Farzana has registered three FIRs against her cousin, Sukhio, from time to time and the case is being heard in the Ghotki district and sessions court. The officer added that the first FIR was registered against Sukhio in 2011, the second in 2012 while a third was registered in 2015.
The officer said the case is pending in the court.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2015.
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