Call for justice after Hindu family attacked

Assault occurred after family tried to overtake an influential person’s vehicle

SUKKUR:

A Hindu family from Sanghar was attacked on Sunday evening by almost a dozen men within the remits of Mirpur Mathelo police station over a petty squabble, prompting uproar on social media with netizens demanding justice for the victims.

The family which included three women and two kids was attacked at a restaurant near Ghotki. The attackers who arrived in a SUV pickup after “tracing” the family smashed the car and hurt Ajay Kumar, who was present in the car.

According to a relative of Kumar, the suspects started attacking the Hindu family without any reason.

He said the family, who was returning from Raharki Sahib - a temple in the area - tried to cross Dr Shamsher Pitafi’s vehicle but they were repeatedly denied the right to overtake. As the family managed to get ahead, Pitafi followed them and later the men who came in Vigo attacked them during the stay.

However, people who had gathered at the spot tried to diffuse the situation and saved the family from the physical assault.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Kheal Das Kohistani said the attackers had also misbehaved with women.

“The Sindh police has assured that the attackers will be arrested,” Kohistani said and added IG Ghulam Nabi Memon and SSP Ghotki Tanveer Tunio have been taken into the loop.

“The main culprit should be arrested immediately,” Kohistani demanded. But, he added, despite pressure from different people, the police have failed to arrest Pitafi.

Sources told The Express Tribune that Pitafi is a cousin of Sindh Minister Livestock and Fisheries Abdul Bari Pitafi. They added that the local Hindu elders asked Kumar not to register any FIR against Pitafi. They also informed that due to “political pressure”, police were reluctant to arrest the men involved in the attack.

Tunio was contacted several times but he remained unavailable on phone.

Pardon

A delegation of elders along with Livestock and Fisheries Minister Abdul Bari Pitafi and Dr Shahmeer Pitafi went to the elders of Hindu family.

While speaking to the media, the minister said that the issue was resolved amicably. He admitted that the Hindu family was misbehaved. “That’s why we are here and requested our Hindu brothers to forgive our mistakes,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2022.