Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on 09-April-2025 held a meeting with leaders from the Hindu community of Larkana and Sukkur divisions, where he announced that his government had recruited Kolhis, Bhils and Meghwars into the Sindh police as part of an inclusive hiring policy.
He addressed the misconception that Hindus are specifically targeted in kidnapping cases, stating that in 2024-25, out of 310 reported kidnappings, only eight victims were Hindus. Of those, seven have been recovered, leaving only one case involving a Hindu, Rajesh, still unresolved. He added that apart from the Hindus, cases of five Muslims also need to be addressed. Otherwise, the government has controlled kidnappings for ransom drastically.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, and Mukesh Kumar Chawla, MPAs Jameel Soomro, Rajveer Singh, Lal Chand Ukrani, Veerji Kolhi, Sukh Dev Asardas, and senior officials, including the chief secretary, home secretary, the Sindh IGP, and other relevant officers.
CM Shah acknowledged the Hindu community as the original inhabitants of Sindh, recognising their significant contributions to the province’s development in sectors such as trade, commerce, education, health and various others. He emphasised that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has made it clear that any injustice against minorities is unacceptable, and the Sindh government is committed to prioritising the resolution of issues faced by the Hindu community.
The chief minister reviewed the law and order situation, particularly in divisions like Kashmore and Kandhkot, which have reported insecurity. He noted that while the situation in Shikarpur and Larkana has improved, further efforts are still needed. Reports also highlighted an increase in motorcycle and car thefts in Larkana.
Members of the Hindu community expressed concerns over the illegal occupation of temple lands (ghonsalas), cases of kidnapping, and land grabbing. They reported that Rajesh had been missing for five months, prompting the chief minister to direct the IGP to prioritise his recovery.
The home minister and the IGP briefed the chief minister on ongoing crackdowns against criminals and dacoits in the Katcha areas, informing him that 152 dacoits had been targeted in operations, during which 20 police officers had been martyred. “This shows the commitment of the police.”
CM Shah assured everyone that strong actions are being taken to recover Rajesh soon. “Sindh offers more protection to its minorities than any other province,” he stated. “The PPP has never abandoned its minority communities and never will,” he said.
To ensure better coordination and swift resolution of issues, he announced the formation of committees in each division, comprising representatives from the Hindu Panchayat, Commissioners, and DIGs to address community concerns.
“If the Hindu community desires, he would ensure that Hindu policemen are posted for the security of their holy places,” he said. The chief minister instructed the police to act against street crime in all major cities, reiterating the government’s firm stance. “We will eliminate criminals, not collaborate with them,” he concluded.
Published in News Daily on 10-April-2025,