Folk singer in Sukkur alleges ASI ransacked his house

Police say singer was caught stealing ASI’s motorcycle.

SUKKUR: Folk singer Syed Athar Shah Bukhari along with his brothers and friends staged a protest outside the Sukkur press club on Tuesday accusing the Site police of raiding and ransacking his house.

Athar said that he is living in flat No 8 of the Sindh Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) plaza, where Site ASI Mohammad Ali Mahar also resides. He alleged that the ASI has forcibly occupied eight flats in the plaza — one flat he lives in and the other seven he rents out.

More than 50 flats were constructed by the SRTC for sale, but since the corporation was scrapped, these flats either have been occupied or allotted by former Sukkur DCO Abdul Majeed Pathan and district nazim Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, a claim denied vehemently by both officials. Two days ago, ASI Mahar called me to his house, maltreated and threatened me with dire consequences if I did not vacate my flat, claimed Athar. “On Monday night, the ASI along with a police team raided and ransacked my house, misbehaved with my family and asked me to give up my flat.” He went to the Site police station to lodge a complaint, but the officials refused.

Meanwhile, Site SHO Mansab Shah told The Express Tribune that ASI Mahar is not posted at the police station. “He is under training at a police training school in Shahdadpur.” He, however, counter accused that Athar had tried to steal Mahar’s motorcycle and was caught red-handed, but the matter was resolved when residents intervened. He also defended the ASI by saying that only one flat was in his possession. “ASI Mahar also lodged an FIR on Monday against Athar for stealing his motorcycle.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2011.