Different lunch menus in bad taste, say jirga members

SUKKUR: Even though jirgas are the local custodians of justice, injustice was done when its organisers set two different lunch menus for the ordinary tribesmen and the elders - beef pulao for the former and an appetising four-dish buffet for the latter.

The jirga, called to settle a dispute between the Jatoi and Jagirani clans on Sunday, left a bad taste in the mouths of ordinary people who wondered why the elders were given a special lunch - chicken roast, mutton curry, hunter beef, chicken biryani, salad and dessert. “They are treating us like second-grade citizens,” said one angry man. “I wish I was the sardar,” said another with a sigh, while others laughed him off.

Before the jirga proceedings began, most of them were of the view that jirgas could not change anything. Even after the jirga has settled a dispute, a little mistake by either tribe could ruin everything. “Where are we heading?” questioned an elderly Jatoi man. “Without giving a second thought, we kill and maim people in the name of tribal feuds.”

After the initial ‘distractions’ concerning food and introspection, the jirga came together to settle the conflict.

Some policemen and private guards were deployed outside the venue but no one was allowed to take weapons inside.

Held at Sukkur House, the residence of PPP Senator Islamuddin Shaikh, the jirga, presided over by former Sindh minister Mir Manzoor Panhwar, heard statements from the people of either clan for five hours and the verdict was announced by Karim Dino Badani at 6 pm.

Both tribes were found guilty of killing three people from each clan. The jirga imposed a fine of Rs1.9 million on the Jatois, while Rs1.3 million has to be paid by the Jagirani clan.

The jirga had fixed Rs400,000 for each murder and Rs100,000 for each person injured. However, an additional amount of Rs1 million was imposed on the Jatoi tribe for killing Nazir Ahmed Jagirani, an elder member and retired superintendent of police, who was gunned down in Rohri a year ago.

It was decided that the fine would be given to the respective sardars in two equal instalments, which later would be paid to the affected families.

Three years ago, Mir Jatoi was killed while resisting an armed robbery. The Jatoi tribe had blamed the Jagiranis for his murder, sparking hostility between the two clans. The enmity has claimed six lives so far.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2010.