SUKKUR: Police booked 12 people on charges of holding a jirga in Wasoo Malik village near Khanpur Mahar a day before to settle a karo kari dispute and arrested the jirga convener late on Wednesday night.

Khanpur Mahar police registered an FIR against the jirga on court orders on a complaint lodged by Rashid Arain who was reportedly asked by the jirga to pay Rs700,000 `fine` on charges of having extramarital relations with one Khabbar Malik`s wife.

Wadera Ibrahim Malik who was accused of convening the jirga told media at the police station that he did not convene the jirga and alleged that police had lodged the FIR against him at the behest of Wadera Nisar Ahmed Mahar who wanted to settle his personal score with him.

Operation launched against dykes` occupants Personnel of Sukkur district administration and irrigation department launched on Wednesday an anti-encroachment operation with the help of heavy machinery against illegal occupants who had constructed houses and shops on the dykes of Rice, Dadu and Kirthar canals.

According to the administration, unauthorised encroachments on canals` dykes were being removed as per orders of the Supreme Court. Since people were not vacating the dykes voluntarily they were being uprooted with the help of heavy machinery, it said.

The affected people held a protest against the antiencroachment operation and said provincial minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah had promised they would be provided alternative place to settle or compensation, but the promise was not fulfilled.

They demanded Sindh chief minister, chief secretary and other higher authorities concerned to provide alternative place for living or make payment of compensation.