SUKKUR, Nov 1: The body of Azizullah Janwari, the prime suspect of the attack on a Khairpur rally on Oct 7, was handed over to his relatives on Wednesday after completing all the legal formalities.

Janwari was shot dead on the night of Oct 29 at the Bagerji police station.

The Sukkur police claimed that he was killed in a shoot-out between the police and members of the Janwari community who had allegedly stormed the police station to try and spring him, while the community members alleged that the encounter was staged. Janwari’s body was handed over to his cousin, Khuda Dad, and was buried in the Khanan Shah graveyard in Khairpur.

Relatives of Janwari, insisted that the deceased was being kept in the Bagerji police station according to a plan and the encounter was staged to kill him.

Meanwhile, Larkana DIG Abdul Khalique Shaikh, who was assigned to probe Janwari’s death by the Sindh IG, visited the Bagerji police station to collect the statements of witnesses and inspect the lockup which was allegedly attacked by armed members of the Janwari community who came to spring Azizullah.

DIG Shaikh recorded the statements of Bagerji SHO Shah Dino Chandio and other policemen who were present at the time of the incident. He also met Sukkur SSP Pir Muhammad Shah who provided him with more details.

When contacted by Dawn, the Larkana DIG said that clues indicated that the attack on the Bagerji police station was planned and the attackers intended to free Azizullah from the lock-up. He said that footprints and other marks were found on pathways and statements of policemen present on the night of Oct 29 were recorded.

DIG Shaikh said that according to the official in charge of the night shift, head constable Irshad Manganhar, the attackers snatched his rifle and took it with them when they left.

When asked why Janwari was being kept at the Bagerji police station which is more than 20 kilometres away from Sukkur city, the DIG said that it would be considered in the inquiry.