Widespread demonstrations have paralyzed parts of Pakistan's Sindh province following the fatal shooting of a young Hindu farmer by a powerful landlord. The incident, which highlights tensions over land rights and the treatment of minority communities, has sparked sustained public outrage and demands for immediate arrest of the perpetrator.
The Killing That Sparked Outrage
According to a report by Pakistani news outlet The Nation, the victim, Kailash Kolhi, was shot dead by an influential landlord identified as Sarfaraz Nizamani. The conflict arose over the construction of a hut on land in Raho Kolhi village, located in the Piru Lashari city area of Badin district. The tragic event occurred four days ago, but the failure to apprehend the main accused has fueled public anger.
Initially, the victim's family and community members staged a protest by placing Kolhi's body at Piru Lashari Stop. At that time, the SSP Badin assured them that the accused would be arrested within 24 hours. However, this promise remains unfulfilled, leading to an escalation of protests.
Highways Blocked in Sustained Demonstrations
Frustrated by the inaction, demonstrators escalated their actions by staging sit-ins on two major roads: the Badin–Hyderabad National Highway and the Badin–Thar Coal Road. The protests, which involved hundreds of vehicles being stranded for hours, are being led by activist Shiva Kachhi, Chairman of the Pakistan Darawar Ittehad.
In a social media post on X, Kachhi described the protest as historic and continuous. "The protest for the arrest of the killers of the martyred Kailash Kolhi is making history," he stated. He emphasized that the sit-in continued without pause from 10:00 am yesterday until late into the night, involving men, women, the elderly, and children braving exhaustion, hunger, and cold.
Kachhi framed Kolhi's killing as a symptom of systemic injustice, stating, "Kailash Kolhi’s only ‘crime’ was that he was poor, marginalised, and courageous enough to exist in a system that protects the powerful and crushes the weak."
Broad-Based Support and Unmet Demands
The protest has garnered significant support, drawing participation from leaders and workers of a diverse range of political, nationalist, religious, and social organizations. Groups involved include:
- Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI)
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Jiye Sindh Mahaz
- Qaumi Awami Tehreek
- Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Bashir Qureshi group)
- Awami Tehreek
This coalition underscores the broad societal concern over the incident. The protesters have vowed not to disperse until those responsible for Kolhi's death are arrested. Their central demand remains clear: justice for Kailash Kolhi and the immediate arrest of his killer. As the standoff continues, the incident poses a serious challenge to local authorities and puts a spotlight on issues of land rights, power dynamics, and the protection of minority communities in the region.
