Old enmity over business dispute claims four lives

Police say dispute started over contract of sand from River Ravi

LAHORE: At least four men were killed over an old enmity in Ferozwala late Thursday night.

According to the police, the victims were on their way to somewhere when the opponents, who were waiting for them on two motorcycles, opened fire at them near Balkhay Village. As a result, four men died on the spot. Three of them were identified as Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Jameel, and Muhammad Usman. Muhammad Afzal was an elected chairperson of UC 108 Lahore and was resident of Carol Village Lahore.

Police said the enmity started over a contract of dealing with sand from  the River Ravi. The river's sand was used in construction purposes and it was a profitable business. The authorities would award the contract in return of money and it was done through tender.

A few days ago after the intervention of influentials of the area, both parties had reached reconciliation. However, the unidentified suspects (allegedly the opponents) attacked them and murdered four victims. Soon after the incident, newly incumbent Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz took notice of the incident and asked DPO Sheikhupura to investigate the matter.

Police have conducted a post-mortem, handed over the bodies to the bereaved families and were looking into the matter further after registration of an FIR.

This is not the first incident of killing over old an enmity in Lahore. Many precious lives have been lost over the years.

In February this year, three men, including two brothers were shot dead when armed men opened fire at a butchers shop in Harancepura. The victims were identified as Abdul Ghani, 37, his brother Zain, 17, and their salesman Abdullah, 16. Police investigations had revealed that it was an incident triggered by an old-enmity and the attackers belonged to Muridke, a suburb of Lahore situated in Sheikhupura district.

In November 2018, three men, including SHO Rang Mahal Zahid Mehmood, his driver Aslam and his gunman Pappu, were shot dead by armed men in Muridke. The victim was attacked just as he left his house and reached GT Road. According to investigations, the killing took place over an old enmity. Mehmood had a decade long family feud which started over a cable network business. The dispute has claimed many lives from both sides.

In another incident, at least five persons, including three brothers and two teenagers were killed over an old enmity in Phularwan Village of Lahore in August 2018. The enmity started over a land dispute in 2007 between Lathia group and Kothay Wala Group. Before these five killings, four persons from both sides had been killed over the enmity. In August, the victims on a tractor trolley were going to bring fodder for animals when the opponents hiding in a field opened fire, killing him on the spot. The victims' families had staged a protest on Mall Road as well outside the house of Prime Minister Imran Khan in Zaman Park to demand justice.

Last year, three men, identified as Imran Shafi, Shahbaz, and Abdul Khaliq, were killed in an incident of firing at a marriage hall in Johar Town. The victim, Imran Shafi, was the nephew of MNA Afzal Khokhar. The prime suspect of the incident was arrested from Balochistan as he was planning to leave for Iran. Later, he was killed by a hired assassin in district katchery on his way to being presented before the court. Both the groups belonged to Niaz Beg Pind that was known for old enmities.

In 2017, Lahore PPP General Secretary Babar Butt was shot dead by his guard and opponents at his home. The victim's family had alleged that he was murdered on whims of MNA Sohail Shaukat Butt over an old enmity.

Several families have been living in Lahore for centuries.  The families, particularly old residents of Androon Lahore and Lahore's peripheries have few unsettled matters all starting from minor disputes. The minor disputes gradually led to murders. The families are always looking for an opportunity to settle their scores that off and on the result in the tragic incidents.

Cinematic representation

The cultural aspect of the old enmities has often been projected in Pakistan's cinema, particularly in Punjabi films. For over a decade, the theme of old enmity has precluded Punjabi films production houses. The iconic picture is Maula Jutt in which Sultan Rahi played the role of Maula Jutt, the protagonist and Mustafa Qureshi of Nuti Natt, the antagonist. The movie dealt with horrors of old enmities. The movie was screened at Lahore's cinema for over a year. It had also proved a trendsetter in Punjabi film production as a long list of movies have been produced as a replica of Maula Jutt. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2019.