HYDERABAD, June 16: A man was shot dead near Tando Yusuf graveyard here late on Sunday night following a dispute over removal of floral wreaths from a grave a couple of days ago.

Police said that a scuffle had broken out between the deceased, Manzoor Bhatti, and some residents of Sero Ghat area who blamed him for removing floral wreaths from the grave of their relative buried in the graveyard a couple of days ago.

Supervising Police Officer (SPO) Irfan Mukhtar Bhutto said that bereaved relatives learnt from some people of the locality that the floral wreaths had been stolen by some anti-social elements who had sold them to “Gulkand” makers.

They also learnt that Manzoor was allegedly involved in the incident as he was in the business of selling dried-up floral wreaths. They exchanged hot words with him, which led to a scuffle in the graveyard.

People made efforts to calm the disputing parties but the bereaved family was adamant to avenge it. A teacher, Razzaque Bhatti, who has become complainant in the murder case, also intervened to settle the dispute but to no avail.

Details of the late night killing were not available. Police only learnt that some unidentified armed men had come to the graveyard on a motorcycle and fired on Bhatti. He died on his way to hospital.

Friends and supporters of Bhatti rushed to the hospital and smashed windowpanes, blaming doctors for Bhatti’s death. Later, they took the body to Bhittai Weigh Bridge near Fateh roundabout and blocked the road.

Pakistan People’s Party supporters said that Bhatti was an activist of Sindh People’s Youth but it could not be confirmed.

Police raided the house of the bereaved family in Sero Ghat but did not find any male member, which reinforced suspicion that the family might be involved in the crime.

Tando Yusuf police have lodged a case accusing one Nadeem and two unidentified people, who were absconding, of murder.

KILLED: One Mohammad Asif was killed and his friend was injured when their motorcycle collided with a truck in Site area late on Sunday night. The truck driver fled while police had impounded the truck.

PROTEST: A large number of residents of Sarfaraz Colony staged a demonstration in protest against prolonged loadshedding by Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company (Hesco).

They burnt tyres on the streets and raised slogans against the power utility. They said that their area remained plunged into darkness for several hours but Hesco employees did not even bother to give them proper reply when they complained to them. On the other hand they continued to issue them inflated bills, they said.