Your money or your life: Sindhi singer Mumtaz Kanwal beaten up at home

Home Minister Manzoor Wassan called the singer and assured her of adequate security and arresting the attackers.

KHAIRPUR:

Around eight women and a man, who were wanted in a land grabbing case, attacked a prominent Sindhi singer, Mumtaz Kanwal, on Saturday in her own house, injuring her critically. The assault was captured by the Nizamani Muhallah residence’s closed-circuit cameras.

Kanwal’s husband, Raheel Dahot, registered an FIR against nine people, including five women, at the B Section police station. Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan also called the singer and assured her of adequate security and arresting the attackers.

According to Raheel, the recent dispute erupted when a man identified as Ali Sher and some others occupied the plot beside their house. They had requested Kanwal and Raheel to use the plot for 10 days of Muharram but did not vacate it afterwards. The couple went to court and it decided in their favour. They were returning from the hearing when Ali Sher and the women attacked them. Raheel said that Ali Sher continued aerial firing after the women beat his wife up.

Around ten months ago, Kanwal and Raheel had another dispute with Ali Sher over money. The singer’s family moved to Hyderabad and went to court over the matter. The Sindh High Court decided in their favour and ordered the police to provide them security.

SHO Waheed Shaikh said that the police was hunting for them but all the attackers have left the area. Their homes are being watched by the police.

The singer said that she was worried for the safety of her family. “They should be arrested or they’ll attack us again,” she said. “The police are providing us protection but my children are scared of what they saw on Saturday.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2012.