Pakistan

Dispute over marriage: Rift between Lashari clans claims five lives

People of two Lashari villages have been at loggerheads over a freewill marriage.

Our Correspondent August 18, 2012

SUKKUR:

A three-year-old dispute between two groups of the Lashari clan reared its ugly head on Saturday, claiming the lives of five people including a minor, near Khairpur.

Three years ago, Ali Hassan from Mithan Lashari village and Pappi from Bakhoo Lashari village had married of their free will, which sparked tensions between the two groups, sources told The Express Tribune. Before the dispute was resolved amicably through a jirga one year ago, three people from each group were shot dead in clashes.

Both the groups, however, accepted the jirga verdict, paying fines and withdrawing cases against each other. The jirga had also decided that the girl will be returned to her parents, but she did not come back.

On Saturday, a group of armed men attacked the Bakhoo Lashari village, gunning down four people on the spot. Mehboob Lashari, Imam Dino Lashari, Punhal Lashari and 10-year-old Qurban Lashari lost their lives.

The assailants fled when the villagers retaliated. The incident took place within the Kotdiji police limits.

Afterwards, armed men from the village went to the Mithan Lashari village to settle scores. They opened fire at the people there and killed Mushtaq Lashari before fleeing.

As both the sides were engaged in a continuous exchange of fire, the police had to send armoured personnel carriers to the area. Contingents of police were sent in by the Khairpur SSP to control the situation.

The police shifted the bodies to the rural health centre in Kotdiji. However, no case was registered nor was anyone arrested until the filing of this report.

Kotdiji SHO Khamiso Khan Janwri told The Express Tribune that the two Lashari groups are at loggerheads over a matrimonial dispute. “The situation is under control now,” he added.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the reason behind the bloodshed was a couple accused of karo-kari.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2012.