Child raped, murdered; locals stage protest

Quaint rural town moved with grief; home minister seeks report from district police chief

HYDERABAD:

A seven years old child, who remained missing for five days, was found dead with her body packed in a gunny bag and thrown by the side of a water distributary on Sunday.

This gruesome incident occurred in Baloch Mohalla in Jhalori, a rural town in Shujabad taluka of Mirpurkhas district. The town's residents, who resorted to protests by closing markets and burning tyres, described the incident as nothing less than a nightmare in a peaceful area.

Inspector Inayat Zardari confirmed to the media that the dead body has been identified as seven years old Aamna, daughter of Molana Ghulam Haider Kundrani, a prayer leader at a local mosque. The body, spotted by the local residents, was shifted to Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas. The initial medical report indicated torture and rape.

According to Kundrani, it was a ordinary day for him to see his daughter going to the school and returning during half time and then going back again to the school. "Around 2pm or 2:30pm a classmate girl dropped her bag at our house and we thought she might be playing with friends after school," the crestfallen father told the media.

The family and neighbours began search of the child at around 4.30 pm. Kundrani and the local residents said they search every nook and cranny of the small rural town but could not find her. He said a neighbour had informed him about watching his daughter weeping outside the school, saying someone is trying to kill her.

Kundrani blamed the police for subjecting him to mental torture instead of making efforts to find the missing child once he reported the case of the missing child. Molana Hafeezur Rehman, a notable figure in Mirpurkhas, also accused the police for their criminal negligence.

"We know that drug addicts and criminal minded people exist in our society. The police should have made serious efforts to find her instead of dillydallying." Rehman warned that if the police continued to show the same indifference, they will resort to protests. He urged the people to try to feel pain of a father whose beloved daughter first went missing for days and later her dead body was found packed in a sack.

Sindh Home Minister has instructed SSP Mirpurkhas to provide a detailed briefing on the case and emphasized the need for a swift and thorough investigation. He urged authorities to ensure all facts are uncovered and to keep him regularly informed of progress.

Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah also personally contacted SSP Mirpurkhas and expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He directed police to prepare a comprehensive report and ensure the swift arrest of those responsible. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy," he said. "My heart goes out to the bereaved family, and we will ensure justice is served."