Hindu trader slain in Ghotki over land dispute

Police arrest suspect after heirs stage sit-in on National Highway

KARACHI:

A large number of people staged sit-in on the National Highway to protest against the murder of a businessman from the Hindu community.

The protestors demanded arrest the culprits responsible for the murder of Satan Lal who was allegedly killed by some influential people over a land dispute. Police, acting on the complaint of the heirs of the victim, arrested the ring leader Bachal Dahar and his accomplices.

This was the third attack on Lal, said Mukhi Anil Kumar, a relative of the victim. Lal earlier sustained injuries a few months ago when his rival attempted to kill him.

"There was inauguration of the cotton factory and flour mill on the land of Satan Lal where some people shot and killed him," Kumar said talking to The Express Tribune over phone. Kumar who was also present on the venue where the incident took place said, "we initially thought that it was aerial firing to welcome Saen Sadhram Saheb spiritual leader of Hindu community who heads the Holy pilgrimage of Reharki.

He was the chief guest of the event. But we suddenly found Satan Lal serious injured then he lost the life," Kumar said. The incident took place two kilometres from Daharki town of Ghotki district. According to local people, there was a dispute between Satan Lal and some people belonging to Dahar community over a piece of land.

"There was two acre land which trigged the dispute between them," Shabir Arbani, local journalist said adding that around eight years ago some people had shot and injured Satan Lal who also came under attack a few months ago, but he survived. In a video that went viral a few months ago, Satan Lal lying on a hospital bed said, "They are threatening to kill me, they said they will smash my eyes and cut my hands and feet.

They are warning me to leave Pakistan or they will kill me. I belong to this country and will prefer to die here, but will not surrender to the threats of my rivals. The roadside land belongs to me and why should I give up," he said requesting the Chief Justice of Pakistan and other authorities to provide him justice and quoted the names of his rivals who according to Lal would kill him.

After Lal's murder on Monday evening, the people belonging to Hindu community protested in front of Daharki police station to arrest the culprits. When police failed, the people from Hindu community, civil society and local leaders of different political parties staged the sit- in on main National Highway to arrest the killers. After the sit-in, the police raided and arrested the ring leader Bachal Dahar and his accomplices for killing the Hindu businessman.

Speaking to the media, Pakistan Muslim league Nawaz (PMLN) MNA Khehal Das Kohistani said, "Efforts are afoot to tarnish the image of coexistence of Sindh where Hindu and Muslim live peacefully for centuries." He added that girls of Hindu community are forcibly converted and people are being kidnapped and killed.

"The situation will spiral out of hands ifthe protection was not given to minorities living in the province," he said appealing chief minister, IG and others to take notice and provide justice and protection to the grieved Hindu families' who face multipole threats in the province. Sukkur DIG while speaking to media said that all the culprits involved in the incident have been arrested and protestors have now cleared the National Highway.