HYDERABAD: In response to a call given by the All Sindh Revenue Employees Association for protest against registration of a murder case against Qasimabad mukhtiarkar Majid Khaskheli and his brother Wajid Khaskheli and a mob attack on them on October 15, employees of revenue department in many areas of the province observed a tool-down strike and held rallies and demonstrations.

The mukhtiarkar and his brother were attacked by a mob, mainly comprising members of the Soomro community, in Tahir Soomro village after Majid’s teenage employee, Usman Soomro, was found shot dead in his guest house. The bereaved family believed that Majid shot dead Usman because he was angry at him over theft of an offspring of his peacock. Usman was supposed to look after peacocks and other bird species kept by Majid in his guest house. He had been accusing Usman of being involved in the theft since the offspring had gone missing, according to Ismail Soomro, father of the deceased youth. Soon after the mob attack on his guest house, Ismail lodged a murder case against the two brothers. The protesting Soomros also held a demonstration on the nearby bypass over the alleged murder.

Rallies, demonstrations held in several towns

On Monday (October 18), revenue employees in Hyderabad observed a tool-down strike and held a sit-in outside Shahbaz Building.

Speaking to the protesters, president of the association Syed Sardar Ali Shah expresses his grief over death of Usman Soomro on behalf of his organisation and called for justice to his heirs.

DADU: Revenue department employees observed a boycott of their duties in Jamshoro, Kotri, Thana Bula Khan, Thana Ahmed Khan and Bhan Syedabad towns against the mob attack on the mukhtiarkar and registration of a murder case against him.

But, he said, those who attacked and injured mukhtiarkar Majid Khaskheli and his brother Wajid Khaskheli should also be brought to justice. He pointed out that the videos of the attack that had gone viral showed that “miscreants challenged the writ of government”.

Mr Shah also led a delegation of association members that called on Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner Fuad Ghaffar Soomro, DIG Sharjeel Kharal and SSP Sajid Sadozai to convey their concern over the episode to them. The delegation claimed that revenue officers were being attacked every now and then on petty issues while performing their official duties.

The protesting employees remained away from their offices and did not discharge their duties in field.

A rally taken out in Kotri town was led by office-bearers of the association Imran Khokhar, Musa Rodhnani, Mashooq Qureshi and Danial Meerani.

They demanded a judicial inquiry by a judge of high court into the death of Usman Soomro and the mob attack, as well as protection to the mukhtiarkar, his family members and all revenue officers and employees in the province.

A strike was observed by revenue employees posted in Dadu, Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar towns.

BADIN: Revenue employees in different parts of Badin district joined in the strike in response to the call given by their association.

A large number of protesters took part in the demonstration held in front of the Badin deputy commissioner’s office on Monday. It was led by president of the association’s local chapter Ali Nawaz Samoon and other office-bearers.

The protesters raised slogans against the mob attack and demanded action against those involved in the manhandling of the mukhtiarkar and his brother while causing extensive damage to furniture, vehicles and household articles condemned during the rampage.

Mr Samoon said the incident had created unrest among all revenue officers and their subordinates across Sindh.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2021