Innocent bystanders: Bandits shoot man to death while fleeing

Members of the Hindu community protested against the police by blocking roads.

SUKKUR: People belonging to the Hindu community staged a demonstration outside the Jacobabad press club on Tuesday to protest against the alleged murder of Bhagtu Mal on Sunday.

Hindu Panchayat Jacobabad president Baboo Mahesh Kumar and others blocked the road leading to the press club and shouted slogans against the police.

While talking to reporters, Kumar criticised the police for not dealing with the increasing violence against members of the Hindu community.

Bhagtu Mal, who was a stamp vendor, was near Shah Ghazi Mohalla on his way home when he unexpectedly came upon three bandits who were fleeing after a failed robbery attempt. The bandits, who were being chased by a crowd of people, opened indiscriminate fire in order to escape.

Bhagtu Mal and a 17-year-old girl, Priya, were injured and taken to a hospital. However, Mal succumbed to injuries before he could be provided medical treatment.

City police arrested Tanveer Jakhrani and Ellahi Bux Jakhrani for their alleged involvement in the murder and seized firearms and ammunition from them.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2012.