Justice demanded: Fishermen protest as suspects get out on bail in murder case

The forum has warned that the rallies would continue unless the killers are punished.

SUKKUR:

Hundreds of fishermen and women protested against a court’s decision to grant bail to men in the case of the murder of the two fishermen from Kaka village. The protest was held outside Sukkur Press Club.

Two months ago, two elders from the Mirani community, Haji Abubakar and Haji Abdul Ghani, were kidnapped and killed allegedly by influential landlords, Muhammad Younis and Zulfiqar Younis, said the Fisherfolk Forum’s Mustafa Mirani.

“A case was registered against them, they were arrested and produced in a court, but later bailed out,” said Mirani. “The poor people and fishermen of Sindh play a vital role in bringing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to power, but it is unfortunate that instead of safeguarding the lives, properties and interests of the poor fishermen, the PPP is protecting the interests of influential people, who are mercilessly cutting the mangroves from the coastal areas.” He explained that when elders from the community raise their voices against the atrocity, the landlords, who enjoy PPP’s support, kidnap and kill them.

He added that these landlords have occupied fishing areas and they do not allow the fisherfolk forum to visit these areas.

He warned that if the killers are not arrested and punished, there would be widespread protests throughout Sindh after Eidul-Fitr.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2011.