Judicial inquiry into Khairpur killings on the cards

Karachi
The Sindh government has written a letter to the high court chief justice for conducting a judicial inquiry into the firing in Daraza Sharif, Khairpur on polling day that killed 12 people, information and education minister Nisar Khuhro told The News on Sunday.
He added that the decision had been made on the day the incident took place but the letter had been written after the formal approval of the chief minister.
Expressing his sorrow over the death of 12 people at women’s polling station No.2 in Warayo Wahan of Union Council Daraza Sharif, in the Khairpur district, the minister said that attack was carried out by a group of outsiders from the Sanghar district.
He maintained that the group was headed by Ismail Shah of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional.
He added that locals belonging to the Junejo community contesting the election under the banner of “Sarmast Group” retaliated to the attack.
He said that the election for the union council was being contested by candidates of the Sarmast Group and the PML-F.
The minister said according to the available information, an argument started between the group of outsiders and the Sarmast Group at the polling station, following a clash that resulted in the killing of two locals.
The activists of thye Sarmast Group retaliated by firing on the vehicles of the attackers, causing more deaths.
He noted that six bodies of the outsiders were found inside the polling station.
Khuhro said the polling station was being manned by five policemen.
However, Rangers covering five polling stations were also patrolling the area.
The bodies of eight outsiders were taken to Sanghar district for burial.
Complaints
The minister said complaints of voters being harassed and coerced by outsiders were being continuously being received from different polling stations of Gambat in Ranipur since morning.
He added that the outsiders had also kidnapped assistant district returning officer Mariam Abbasi and latter released her in Gambat. He said the local administration with the help of the law enforcement agencies had been defusing tension to avoid any untoward incident.
He said armed men led by Ismail Shah also thrashed the SHO and ASI of the area.
Successful candidates congratulated
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated the party candidates who secured seats in the first phase of local bodies elections in 20 districts of Sindh and Punjab.
He said the PPP’s victory had sent a clear and resounding message across the country that it was the only true national party.
Bilawal also expressed his grief and sorrow over deaths in Khairpur and Faisalabad, Punjab on the election day.
He said the Election Commission and the local administrations should ensure adequate security measures in the next phases of the polls.
Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has also congratulated PPP candidates and activists on the party’s sweeping victory in Larkana and Sukkur.