Shikarpur killings: 70 men and women arrested for one suspect

SUKKUR:

In a desperate attempt to regain their honour, the Shikarpur police is going on raids in Chak, Pannu Aqil and Rohri. In the last 48 hours or so, they have arrested more than 70 men, women and children in an attempt to pressure the suspects into giving themselves up.

The arrests are in connection with the killing of three Hindus on November 7.

Sources claim that the police are raiding spots where they suspect the relatives of the main suspect, Qazi Ghulam Mohammad Bhayo, live.

Thers is speculation that someone influential is hiding Bhayo.

The police arrested Bhayo’s niece and nephew Qazi Abdul Ghafoor Bhayo from Fauji Muhalla, Pannu Aqil. His niece Mumtaz works as a government school teacher. Nearly 17 women and 18 children were arrested from Sitampur Muhalla Chak, Pannu Aqil and Rohri.

“The arrests are a pressure tactic used by the police to force [Bhayo] to surrender,” said one officer who did not want to be named. “The suspect does not have a criminal record and anyone could give him shelter.”

Shikarpur SSP Junaid Ahmed Shaikh confirmed the raids but denied reports of arrests. He added that they were raiding Bhayo’s relatives house to find out about him.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2011.