Feud escalates: Five die as families clash over Rs120
Four of a family, including two minors, were killed.
The police filed cases against the shooters who had fled following the fiasco. PHOTO: FILE
CHARSADDA:
Five people were killed and two others were injured when a firefight erupted between two families over a monetary dispute in Umerzai, Charsadda on Friday. Four of the deceased were from one family.
According to Umerzai police Inspector Khursheed Khan, Riaz Khan told police he and members of his family were sitting inside their home when Asif and Yousaf barged in and opened fire.
As a result, Riaz’s 20-year-old son Ilyas, and his daughters Haseen, six, and Hajira, eight, were killed. Riaz’s wife Gohariya Bibi was severely injured. Riaz himself eventually succumbed to his wounds.
In a related incident, Halima, the wife of Abdul Qadoos, filed a case stating she was at home when she heard gunfire. When she rushed out, her husband was being held at gunpoint by two men identified as Hassan Ali and Haji Muhammad. She added the men beat her and shot her husband, who died on the spot.
Inspector Khan explained initial investigations revealed Riaz, a daily wage worker, had bought food items worth Rs120 from Asif’s shop a week earlier. When Asif asked for the payment, Riaz claimed he did not have the money.
“They started beating each other, but residents resolved the dispute at the time.”
According to the inspector, Riaz’s nephew Hassan went to Asif’s shop following the confrontation and threatened Asif with dire consequences if he continued to pursue the matter. Following this, Asif attacked Riaz’s family, killing four, and in return Hassan shot a member of Asif’s family.
Ghulam Shah, an eyewitness, who rushed Riaz to hospital after he was injured, said the latter’s life would have been saved if the medical superintendent (MS) of District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) had admitted him. Shah and other locals were rushing Riaz towards the operation theatre when MS Muhammad Khan Afridi stopped them.
“Afridi began checking Riaz’s blood pressure and fever. He referred him to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar, claiming Riaz’s condition was critical, even though the DHH surgeon had referred him to the operation theatre,” narrated Shah.
“Riaz died on the way to LRH.”
The police filed cases against the shooters who had fled following the fiasco. Meanwhile, Riaz’s family members held a protest against MS Afridi, demanding the government conduct an inquiry against the official.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2013.
Five people were killed and two others were injured when a firefight erupted between two families over a monetary dispute in Umerzai, Charsadda on Friday. Four of the deceased were from one family.
According to Umerzai police Inspector Khursheed Khan, Riaz Khan told police he and members of his family were sitting inside their home when Asif and Yousaf barged in and opened fire.
As a result, Riaz’s 20-year-old son Ilyas, and his daughters Haseen, six, and Hajira, eight, were killed. Riaz’s wife Gohariya Bibi was severely injured. Riaz himself eventually succumbed to his wounds.
In a related incident, Halima, the wife of Abdul Qadoos, filed a case stating she was at home when she heard gunfire. When she rushed out, her husband was being held at gunpoint by two men identified as Hassan Ali and Haji Muhammad. She added the men beat her and shot her husband, who died on the spot.
Inspector Khan explained initial investigations revealed Riaz, a daily wage worker, had bought food items worth Rs120 from Asif’s shop a week earlier. When Asif asked for the payment, Riaz claimed he did not have the money.
“They started beating each other, but residents resolved the dispute at the time.”
According to the inspector, Riaz’s nephew Hassan went to Asif’s shop following the confrontation and threatened Asif with dire consequences if he continued to pursue the matter. Following this, Asif attacked Riaz’s family, killing four, and in return Hassan shot a member of Asif’s family.
Ghulam Shah, an eyewitness, who rushed Riaz to hospital after he was injured, said the latter’s life would have been saved if the medical superintendent (MS) of District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) had admitted him. Shah and other locals were rushing Riaz towards the operation theatre when MS Muhammad Khan Afridi stopped them.
“Afridi began checking Riaz’s blood pressure and fever. He referred him to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in Peshawar, claiming Riaz’s condition was critical, even though the DHH surgeon had referred him to the operation theatre,” narrated Shah.
“Riaz died on the way to LRH.”
The police filed cases against the shooters who had fled following the fiasco. Meanwhile, Riaz’s family members held a protest against MS Afridi, demanding the government conduct an inquiry against the official.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2013.