Members of Pakistan's Hindu community, alongside individuals from various faiths, have been staging a persistent protest since Friday, demanding action over the abduction of minority community members by bandits in the riverine regions of southern Sindh province's Kashmore. Dr. Chand Mahar, senior vice president of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) minority wing in Sindh and a leader of the protest, shared that the demonstration has been ongoing at Dera More, near the Sindh-Punjab border, since the past Friday.
The abduction victims include three members of the Hindu community, identified as Mukhi Jagdish Kumar, Sagar Kumar, and Jaideep Kumar, who were recently taken captive by dacoits. Additionally, a Muslim doctor, Munir Naij, has been held captive for the past 40 days. The distressing situation has triggered protests not only over their abduction but also in response to rising incidents of robberies in Sindh. Similar protests occurred in various cities within the province on Sunday, with relatives of the victims fervently demanding their swift and safe release, PTI reported.
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The protestors, representing diverse faiths, have united in their call for military and Ranger operations against the kidnappers and bandits. Dr. Mahar emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that people are becoming increasingly frustrated with these kidnappings. He mentioned that the Kashmore Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amjad Sheikh, has provided assurances of a prompt recovery for the hostages.
Dr. Mahar estimated that approximately 40 people have fallen victim to riverine bandit kidnappings in recent months, with some being released upon payment of ransom. He highlighted that members of the Hindu community are often targeted due to their involvement in business activities, making them vulnerable to such criminal acts.
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Dr. Lal Chand Ukrani, president of the PPP's minority wing in Sindh, expressed similar concerns, emphasizing that Hindus are often seen as easy targets for ransom. He disclosed that he had raised this issue with former Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and had engaged in discussions with him before the end of his tenure to address the deteriorating law and order situation in upper Sindh, particularly in Kashmore.
Caretaker Sindh Home Minister Haris Nawaz announced plans for launching an operation against bandits in the riverine areas of Jacobabad and Shikarpur, with a commitment to achieving more significant results in the next phase of the operation. The situation remains tense as the community and their supporters seek justice and an end to these troubling incidents.
