ESPITE the PPP`s tall claims of running Sindh efficiently, the grim spectre of tribal feuds continues to haunt the province`s upper districts. In one particularly bloody incident, nine people lost their lives in a tribal clash involving the Chachar and Sabzoi communities in Kashmore district last week. Police officials claim the feud erupted over stolen livestock. This is not the first incident of its kind as upper Sindh frequently sees such violence, as well as kidnappings, particularly in the districts bordering Balochistan. A police report published in this paper last year says over 100 people have lost their lives in tribal feuds in upper Sindh over the past few years. The violence has been triggered by disputes over access to water and land, so-called honour and matrimonial issues, while trivial matters such as cattle thef t and scuffles between children have also led to bloody exchanges. Illegal jirgas are also common in the area with tribal sardars and other influentials settling disputes that should be decided in courts of law. Some parts of upper Sindh are practically no-go areas for citizens, with unfortunate consequences awaiting those who venture into the `wrong` zone.

Much of this violence is fuelled by heavy weaponry, some of it military grade. The key question is how such weapons end up in the hands of the feuding tribesmen and criminal elements, without the federal and provincial administrations noticing. While the justice system needs to deliver so people do not have to refer to jirgas to settle their disputes, the flow of weapons into the katcha and other no-go areas needs to stop in order to stem the bloodshed. Moreover, the PPP, whose lawmakers represent the districts concerned, needs to make more of an effort to encourage peaceful resolution of disputes, while lawmakers and government officials can in no way be allowed to patronise illegalities. The people of upper Sindh need the rule of law above all else, not the law of the jungle.