HYDERABAD: Violent incidents of firing and clashes, which began with the killing of Sindh United Party central committee member Dr Anwar Leghari, left dozens of people wounded in different parts of Hyderabad, Dadu and Mirpurkhas on Thursday.

Polling was suspended at several polling stations for a few hours due to the violence until the law enforcement agencies managed to control the situation. In the evening, PPP activist Mosa Solangi was shot dead by political rivals before the polling ended at the Yousaf Katyar polling station, Jan Mohammad Jat union council of Sujawal district.

Earlier, SUP central committee member Dr Anwar Leghari, 55, was shot dead and a party candidate, Abdul Sami Chandio, along with his brother, Waqar aka Sami Chandio, were wounded in a targeted gun attack in the Qasimabad area on Wednesday night. Both the injured were later admitted to the intensive care unit of the Liaquat University Hospital.

SUP vice president Roshan Ali Buriro said Dr Leghari was a government employee, while Sami Chandio was contesting the elections against PPP candidate Ramzan Chandio. Mr Buriro blamed rivals for attacking the SUP activists.

The Bhitai Nagar SHO said that families of the victims had not contacted the police to lodge the FIR.

He quoted some witnesses as saying that the attackers were riding a motorbike, while others as telling the police that the SUP activists were attacked from a black Vigo.

In Dadu, at least 17 persons were injured in clashes between supporters of Pakistan Peoples Party candidates and anti-PPP candidates, while polling was suspended at a number of polling stations including Jakhro polling station in Kakar union council, Pipri polling station at Poracho near Mehar town, Gahi Mahisar and Machhi Market polling stations, after the clashes in Dadu and Jamshoro districts.

Three people were injured in a clash between PPP and Awami Ittehad Party supporters at the Jakhro polling station.

The supporters of the two parties also clashed at Pipri polling station.

Polling remained suspended for half an hour at the Machhi market polling station after a clash between women activists of the PPP and the PML-N, the PTI and Awami Ittehad Party.

Ten persons were injured in clashes between two groups of political parties at Shah Mohammad Chhutto polling station of Toung union council near Thana Bula Khan. The condition of four of them was stated to be serious.

In Mirpurkhas, supporters of the PPP and PML-F clashed in the Girhor Shareef area of Sindhri taluka.

Three persons were wounded in a clash in Mirpur Sakro taluka.

Later, Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar paid a visit to Jeelani polling station at Makli and expressed his satisfaction over law and order.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2015