Tribal justice: Jirga resolves decade long Chachar-Mahar dispute

Tensions between the tribes heightened after three boys were killed.

SUKKUR: After eight years of bloodshed and looting, a jirga finally settled differences between the Chachar and Mahar tribes.

The dispute which started over the theft of a lift machine, left more than 11 members from both clans murdered and the pillaging of their villages.

On Thursday, a jirga decided that both tribes would pay a Rs6.3million fine and consider the dispute settled. The verdict was announced by former Sindh minister Mir Manzoor Khan Panhwar. The Chachar tribe was fined Rs3.6million for killing three boys, whereas the fine set for a murder was Rs0.6million. The Mahar tribe was fined Rs2.7million for murdering a close relative of Sardar Haji Khan Chachar, injuring two people and implicating tribal elders in fake cases.

The jirga was held at Circuit House in Sukkur and was led by Panhwar. Sardar Ali Gohar Mahar represented the Mahar clan while the Chachar tirbe was represented by Sardar Haji Khan Chachar. Those who attended the jirga, included provincial minister, Khursheed Ahmed Shah, MPAs Sardar Ahmed Pitafi and Sardar Raheem Bux Bozdar.

A heavy contingent of the police was deployed around Circuit House and no journalists were allowed to enter. At the time of the verdict, however, all cameramen and photographers were allowed to cover the event.

The verdict stated that the fine would be paid in two equal installments. The first installment will be paid after Eidul Fitr and the second installment will be paid on December 15, 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2012.