A tragic incident has been reported from near Talhar in Badin district, Sindh, where a Hindu tenant farmer, Kailash Kolhi, was shot dead allegedly by his landlord after a dispute over shelter on agricultural land. The killing has sparked outrage among minority rights advocates and local communities, highlighting persistent concerns over violence, impunity, and insecurity faced by religious minorities in rural Pakistan.
According to witnesses and family members, Kailash Kolhi, a poor agricultural labourer, had constructed a small hut on the land where he worked to house his family. This reportedly led to repeated threats from the accused landlord, Sarfaraz Nizamani. On the day of the incident, witnesses state that the accused opened fire, shooting Kailash twice in the chest, resulting in his immediate death. The accused allegedly fled the scene and remains at large.
The victim’s family- his grieving wife, young children, and elderly parents- have staged a protest, demanding justice and the immediate arrest of the accused. They say they fear further intimidation and are pleading with authorities for protection and accountability.
Human rights defenders stress that this killing is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader pattern of abuse faced by marginalized communities, particularly religious minorities and landless labourers. In many rural areas of Sindh, tenant farmers depend heavily on powerful landlords, creating unequal power dynamics that often leave workers vulnerable to threats, violence, and exploitation. When victims belong to minority communities, access to justice becomes even more difficult.
Activists argue that delays in arrest and investigation contribute to a culture of impunity, where perpetrators believe they can escape consequences due to social status or influence. They warn that failure to act decisively undermines public trust in the justice system and deepens fear among already vulnerable populations.
Civil society organizations are demanding:
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Immediate arrest of the accused
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A transparent and impartial investigation
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State protection and compensation for the victim’s family
They emphasize that poverty, labour status, or religious identity should never determine whose life is valued or whose death is ignored.
As Sindh mourns yet another life lost to violence, rights groups urge authorities to ensure swift justice for Kailash Kolhi and reaffirm the rule of law. Delayed justice, they warn, only strengthens oppression and signals that minority lives remain expendable.
Justice for Kailash Kolhi must not be denied.
For more updates and detailed coverage of this case and other issues affecting the Hindu and Sindhi communities in Sindh, Pakistan, stay tuned to Sindh Renaissance.
