Khairpur Jirga ends 35-year Narejo-Kalhoro feud

A 35-year-old bad blood between Narejo and Kalhoro tribes, to which around a hundred killings and deaths have been attributed, was settled by a Jirga in Khairpur district on Saturday. Headed by Ghaus Bux Khan Mahar in the committee of 13 notable figures who gathered at the shrine in Pir Jo Goth, the Jirga slapped a total of Rs130 million fine on both the sides.

The Narejos accepted killings of 28 Kalhoros and the latter acknowledged murdering 18 Narejos. Some 18 deaths, including 15 of Narejos and three of Kalhoros remained either unaccounted for or the police was held responsible for those killings in encounters. A couple of the deceased were said to have drowned.

Thousands of people gathered in the town on Saturday, which is known for being the stronghold of Hur Jamaat and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, amid tight security. The Jirga ordered Narejos to pay a cumulative sum of Rs80 million to Kalhoros who in return would pay Rs50 million to the former.

The compensation for each of the 46 accepted killings ranged between Rs2.5 million to Rs five million. These murders, reportedly triggered by a petty fight between the two dwellers of the riverbed villages of Khairpur, occurred over three and a half decades. One woman from Kalhoros is also among those killed.

A compensation of Rs2.5 million was fixed against 36 killings while for six others the Jirga fixed Rs3.75 million compensation and Rs5 million for four more. Both the tribes embraced the Jirga's decision and assured that they will immediately halt the hostilities. Five of the slain persons from Narejo clan were allegedly killed in separate police encounters.

Chairman Faisla Committee Saeed Khan Nizamani, who also represented the shrine, Muhammad Khan Junejo, Moazzam Khan Abbassi of PML-F, Jeay Sindh Mahaz's chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, Hussain Bux Narejo, Changez Khan Panhwar, Mir Abid Khan Bhayo and Najaf Ali Khan Kamario, among others, were part of the Jirga commitee.