Bringing in the force: Land dispute leaves nine shops, vehicles ablaze

The two sides fighting over a 60-square yards plot since 2007.

KARACHI:

At least nine shops, a car and two motorcycles were set ablaze in a riot near the old Sabzi Mandi on Wednesday.

According to the police, the clash took place over a land dispute between Rehmatullah Lashari, a grade-18 officer and a former Hyderabad administrator, and Jumman Panwar. The two sides have been fighting over a 60-square yards plot since 2007.

PIB colony police station SHO Asif Munawar said that the matter was already in court. He said that Panwar and his supporters, including women, reached Lashari’s house and set his Toyota Corolla - which had a government licence plate - two motorcycles and nine shops in his building on fire.

Panwar’s supporters claimed, however, that Lashari has influence in the police department and was occupying the land with their help. They said they had gone to sort out the matter but were shot at.

Following the incident, a large number of policemen reached the area and took around two hours to bring the situation under control. The SHO said that they have apprehended 18 suspects, including Panwar, for attacking and setting property on fire. A case would be registered and further investigation was underway, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2013.