JACOBABAD: More than 100 houses were set on fire in Sindh’s Jacobabad district following violence linked to a dispute over a free-will marriage between two individuals belonging to different communities, police and local officials said.
According to police and local reports, Sidra of the Channa community married Muhammad Hassan Buriro of the Buriro community by choice. The couple said in a video statement that they solemnised their marriage in a Hyderabad court on May 4.
Following the marriage, tensions escalated between members of the two communities, eventually leading to an armed attack on a village belonging to the Buriro community.
Residents said armed men opened fire and torched dozens of homes, triggering panic across the area. Several families were displaced as their houses and belongings were destroyed in the blaze.
Police said a case had been registered at Mirpur Buriro Police Station against 32 suspects under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Five suspects have so far been arrested.
The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Ghulam Shabbir Buriro and names several accused, including Mohsin Ali Channa, Saddam Hussain Channa, Abdullah Channa, Muhammad Rafiq Bhatti, Jehangir, Munir Ahmed and Kaleemullah Brohi.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faizan Ali confirmed that raids were underway to arrest the remaining suspects.
Speaking to Geo News, the groom’s father, Malhar Buriro, alleged that around 400 armed men led by local figures carried out the attack and burned down homes in the village while residents were unable to resist due to heavy firing.
On the other hand, members of the Channa community denied involvement in the arson attack. A representative of the community claimed that a minor girl had been abducted from their village and said the matter would be pursued through legal channels.
A video statement by the girl’s father also surfaced in which he alleged that his 14-year-old daughter had been married in violation of the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act. He further claimed that both his 14-year-old and four-year-old daughters had been abducted and had not yet been recovered despite a police case being registered.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed authorities to take strict action against those responsible.
In a statement, the chief minister described the burning of more than 100 homes as an “inhuman and intolerable act” and ordered the Larkana commissioner and DIG Larkana Division to submit an immediate report.
He also directed authorities to provide urgent relief and protection to the affected families and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
“No one can be allowed to play with the lives and property of innocent people,” the chief minister said, adding that all those involved would be brought to justice.