Kidnapping of 19-year-old boy sparks tribal clashes

A wanted criminal may have kidnapped the boy to start the feud, says Ghotki DPO.

SUKKUR: The kidnapping of a 19-year-old labourer on Wednesday has sparked tribal clashes between Gabole and Bozdar families.

The hostage, Ehsan, was riding his bicycle from Punjabi Gabole village to visit a friend in Jawar town when he was kidnapped by bandits. His bicycle was found near Sohanjhro within the jurisdiction of Yaroo Lound police station.

Following the kidnapping, members of the Gabole family accused the Bozdar men of taking away the boy. Men from the Bozdar have claimed, however, that a wanted bandit, Liaquat Bozdar alais Gulwo, has kidnapped Ehsan to avenge the arrest of his father, Gulzar Bozdar.

Gulzar was arrested on Tuesday after he was accused of stealing from four shopkeepers, Haji Ghaffar Gabole, Asghar Malik, Qurban Gabole and Hassan Gabole. These shopkeepers were looted by bandits at Jarwar-Natho Gabole Link Road. The police raided several villages and arrested Gulzar and his accomplices.

Ghotki DPO Peer Muhammad Shah confirmed the arrest of Liaquat’s father and said that Liaquat is a criminal involved in many crimes. “Liaquat may have kidnapped Ehsan Gabole to spark enmity between the two tribes and take benefit from the clashes,” added the DPO.

The Bozdars and Gaboles recently settled their differences but the kidnapping seems to have sparked another bloody dispute between the two clans.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2011.