HYDERABAD: A PPP supporter was all but lynched in old Hala, the native town of president Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Makhdoom Amin Fahim, in a scuffle between supporters of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) PML-F and PPP on Tuesday night.

Three local PML-F leaders including the brother of a sitting DIG have been detained by Matiari police following the incident, a police source confirmed from Matiari district.

Those who are detained are Amir Bahzad Memon, a local leader of Memon Ittehad, Naseer Memon, brother of sitting DIG Bashir Memon and Arbab Memon.

The deceased was identified as Ali Sher Solangi. He was the driver of Ali Hassan Sanai, the coordinator of Makhdoom Jamiluz Zaman, son of Amin Fahim.

Jamil is contesting on Matiari’s provincial assembly seat of PS-43 of Hala against PML-F’s, Raees Nazir Rahu, an old trusted friend of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who has recently quit PPP and joined PML-F to challenge the Makhdooms in their stronghold.

There are conflicting accounts of the incidents that led to the killing of Solangi.

Reports said that a scuffle took place after supporters of PML-F and PPP exchanged hot words over the playing of party songs at Irfan Mehdi chowk of old Hala.

As the situation went out of control, PML-F supporters attacked rival PPP supporters in the area, beating Ali Sher Solangi.

He is said to have been hit on the head, which proved to be fatal.

A large number of PPP supporters laid siege to the residence of Amir Bahzad Memon, a former UC-1 Nazim of Hala, to demand his arrest.

Police took him into custody, alongwith Naseer Memon and Arbab Memon. Shops were immediately closed following the incident.

No FIR has been lodged so far.

The May 11 polls in Matiari district has become a serious and interesting affair.

The Memons, PML-F and influential figures such as Rais Nazeer Rahu and Ali Akbar Nizamani have formed a group against the Makhdooms to contest in the elections against them.

Rahu has recieved a PML-F ticket for PS-43 while PML-F’s Abdul Razzaq Memon alias Ghafoor Memon is contesting on NA-218 against Makhdoom Amin Fahim.