HYDERABAD: Relatives and supporters of an activist of a nationalist party held a sit-in on Hyderabad-Badin road on Monday in protest against the worker’s killing allegedly in a ‘staged encounter’ with police on July 14 and the death of the activist’s widow, who died by suicide in protest against his husband’s extrajudicial death.

Sikandar Mallah suffered serious wounds in the encounter allegedly staged by Bulri Shah Karim police on July 14. He was brought to Hyderabad’s Liaquat University Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds, said sources.

Mallah’s wife Atiya Mallah consumed some poisonous substance after learning about her husband’s death. She was taken to LUH city branch in critical condition where she breathed her last on Monday.

The protesters, among them activists of JSQM-Arisar, JSQM-Bashir, Awami Ittehad, Sindh United Party and other parties, led by Mallah’s elderly mother Ms Shahnaz kept the Hyderabad-Badin road blocked and caused suspension of vehicular traffic. Ms Shahnaz said that her son was killed in a staged encounter.

A team of police and administration officials talked to the protesters who agreed to lift the blockade after seeing suspension orders for inspector Hadi Bux Lashari, police constables Dildar Panhwar and Arshad Ghutko.

Police officials also agreed to have the encounter investigated though they had earlier claimed that five criminal cases of 2023 and 2024 were pending against the deceased.

SSP Abid Baloch said that heirs were assured that the encounter would be investigated and policemen had been suspended as per their demand.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024