Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken serious notice after more than 100 houses were set ablaze in the Jacobabad district of Sindh following a violent incident triggered by a dispute over a free-will marriage between two individuals belonging to different communities.
He directed police to launch strict action against all those involved. He ordered the Larkana commissioner to provide urgent relief and assistance to the affected families
In a statement, the chief minister termed the burning of over 100 homes an “inhuman and intolerable act” and sought an immediate report from the commissioner and DIG Larkana Division.
The chief minister also instructed the DIG Larkana to ensure full protection for the victims and stressed that a thorough investigation must determine under whose orders the houses were set on fire.
“No one can be allowed to play with the lives and property of innocent people,” CM Murad said, warning that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.
According to reports, Sidra from the Channa community married Muhammad Hassan Buriro of the Buriro community by choice.
The couple, in a video message, appealed to the government for justice, saying they had solemnised their marriage by choice in a Hyderabad court on May 4. They added that after the marriage, they were subjected to a barrage of allegations and threats.
However, the girl’s father declared the marriage underage, claiming that his daughter was only 14 years old and accusing the boy of kidnapping his other four-year-old daughter. He also held the boy’s family responsible for setting their own house on fire.
On the other hand, the girl denied her father’s claims, saying she was 20 years old and not underage. She said that she had married in a Hyderabad court of her own free will and had not brought anyone with her.
A video also surfaced showing the boy’s village being set on fire, while armed men could also be seen in the footage.
Armed men allegedly attacked an entire village belonging to Buriro community, opening fire and torching homes, leaving many families homeless with their life savings reduced to ashes. Residents said panic spread across the area, and no one was able to resist the attackers due to intense gunfire.
The affected families are now forced to live under the open sky.