Another tribal feud – another killing. In May 2024, Behram Sawand was crucified in a tribal feud as the police claimed. The Sandarani-Sawand tribal dispute started with honor killing, which resulted in the killings of around 30 people on either side.
The provincial government, which should protect citizens, has completely failed to fulfill its responsibilities – it was its very police department that should have saved Behram. The police, instead, were holding negotiations with the Sandarani group involved in the killing of Behram to return his dead body. So, is it the role of the police to get a returned dead body?
The question raises about whether the tribal feud alone was responsible for his killing. On the other hand, even the system, which provides protection to tribal feuds and criminals, is also culpable – apparently, the system murdered Behram. The bullet was triggered by a tribal group, but it was loaded by the state, giving the tribal system free rein to kill anyone.
However, the tribal dispute is evidence of a system where democratic values have no existence. Indeed, Parliament in Pakistan, which represents democracy, seldom has the soul of democracy. In such a system, who will have hope to be protected?
The matter of fact is that Pakistan People’s Party, which has high claims regarding human rights and democracy, including its founder the late Zulifkar Ali Bhutto, was who was against wadera/Sardari or Feudal lord system. (Whether he was able to remove it. It is another chapter.)
Alas, the same political party, PPP is a bunch of feudal lords and has led the Sindh government for over a decade. The provincial government is silent when tribal feuds rear its ugly heads. Why does the Sindh government seem helpless – why is the Sindh government letting people be killed at the hands of tribal disputes?
We understand that the tribal system will not come to an end in the blink of an eye, but its brutal actions can be punished. Instead, the government’s inaction is making people suffer, as Behram’s family is now suffering. Moreover, the government has not taken control of the disorder in the law-and-order situation except by issuing traditional statements, which contain the usual words – actions will be taken. No one knows when.
The previous year, Professor Ajmal Sawand fell victim to the tribal feud between Sawand and Sandarani factions, and this year, another named Behram Sawand has met a similar fate. Who will assume responsibility for Behram’s death? Will the Sindh government summon the courage to acknowledge its failure in protecting his life, or will its silence only fuel the flames of tribal feud?
Behram’s final plea resonates deeply: “You can kill me; please do not disfigure my face.” His words poignantly highlight the entrenched corrupt and anti-people sentiments within the country, which perpetuates and supports tribal feuds.
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