LARKANA: The Bakrani police on Monday killed Khalid Hussain Abro in an alleged encounter in Athar Abro village. Meanwhile, relatives and heirs of the deceased staged a sit-in and a demonstration in front of SSP office in Larkana. They chanted slogans against police officers and alleged that Khalid was on his way to Bakrani village when police detained and killed him without any justification. Moreover, Akhtiar Abro, brother of the deceased, claimed that police conducted raids on their homes due to personal enmity, but Khalid was not a criminal. They accused that a politically-influential family instigated to kill the ‘innocent’ youth and asserted that he should have been produced before court for a fair trial. They further appealed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and Sindh High Court (SHC) to take notice of the incident and order a probe into the alleged police encounter. Contrarily, the police issued a statement claiming that Khalid was a criminal and attempted to arrest him on a tip-off. However, following an exchange of fire from both sides, Khalid received severe bullet wounds and died on the spot. Reportedly, police claimed to possess several crime cases against the deceased. Three incidents have occurred during last 15 days in the constituency of provincial home minister Suhail Anwar Siyal. First, Syed Kashif Shah was killed during police ‘torture’ at Shaheed Illahi Bux police station. Second, a minor girl was sexually abused. Third, the police ‘encounter’ of Khalid Abro. People of the constituency have been living in a state of fear, anxiety and insecurity. They have constantly demanded maintenance of law and order, but to no avail. According to a report, three alleged police encounters have been conducted in Ratodero, Naundero and Bakrani during the last two months. Furthermore, many innocent people lost their lives including artist Samina Sindhu, Saima Jarwar, Ahad Abbasi, Asad Memon, Ihsan Tunio and others. Families of the deceased await justice to be served. Published in Daily Times, May 22nd2018.