Family organizes protest, demands arrest of suspects and action against police officers
KHANEWAL:
A 22-year-old man was shot dead by armed assailants on his way to a court hearing in Kabirwala, apparently following a long-running tribal feud.
The deceased, identified as Mursaleen Tayyab Hanjra, was attacked near Jhandeer Kassi in the jurisdiction of Nawan Shehr police station.
Police and family sources said more than eight armed suspects ambushed him and opened fire with Kalashnikovs and rifles, leaving him seriously injured.
The attackers reportedly fled the scene towards the Mamdal neighborhood after the shooting. The incident is believed to be linked to an old rivalry between the Hanjra and Kartwana communities in the Head Sardar Pur area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Sarai Sidhu police station in Kabirwala police circle.
The family members immediately called Rescue 1122 for medical assistance.
However, Mursaleen Tayyab succumbed to her injuries before help arrived.
Following the complaint of the victim’s father, Muhammad Tayyab Hanjra, the Nawan Shehr police filed a case against the named suspects, identified as Muhammad Hanif Kartwana, Muhammad Asif Kartwana, Muhammad Kashif Kartwana, Qaiser, Sagheer Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq and Muhammad Bilal, along with other unidentified accomplices.
After the murder, members of the Hanjra community staged a protest by placing the victim’s body on Multan Road outside the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Kabirwala.
The protest continued for nearly two hours, causing traffic disruptions and attracting large crowds.
The protesters chanted slogans against DSP Kabirwala Chaudhry Munawar Gujjar and SHO of Sarai Sidhu police station, accusing the police of failing to act against proclaimed offenders allegedly associated with the rival group.
Relatives of the victim claimed that the wanted suspects remained frequently present in the residential areas of Muhammad Pur Nasheb and Sardar Pur, but were not arrested despite the police knowing their whereabouts.
They said quick action by law enforcement could have prevented the killing.
The victim’s mother and other family members were seen grieving during the protest and demanded the arrest of the suspects.
The bereaved family has appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Inspector General of Police Punjab to ensure arrest of the accused and take action against those responsible for negligence.
Police said an investigation was underway and efforts were being made to arrest the suspects named in the case.
