Sukkur (Report by Danish Rajput):
A heart-wrenching protest unfolded outside the Sukkur National Press Club, where men, women, and children from the Odh community gathered to raise their voices against what they described as years of injustice at the hands of powerful individuals. The protestors carried placards and shouted slogans demanding justice, protection, and above all, the safe recovery of their missing children who, according to them, were kidnapped five years ago and trafficked across the border to India.
The demonstrators, many of them mothers in tears and fathers holding photographs of their missing children, alleged that in 2020, three boys from their families were abducted by local influential men. The names of the abducted children were listed as Goromal (19 years old), Shamshad (17 years old), and Ravi Kumar (8 years old). According to the protesters, the kidnappers—identified as Darshan Lal and Sahnu Mal—allegedly handed over the boys to two other individuals, Ravi Khatri and Atam Das, who then trafficked them to India for money.
The Odh community representatives recalled that their lives changed forever on the day their sons went missing. Despite approaching local police stations, community leaders, and authorities repeatedly over the past five years, they claimed their cries for help had been ignored, largely due to the influence and wealth of the accused persons.
In a shocking twist, the protestors revealed that some time ago, one of the kidnapped boys, Ravi Kumar, was miraculously found alive. The child was discovered begging on the streets near Mander Gali, Gurdwara Chowk in Pano Aqil. He was immediately handed over to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sukkur for safety and further investigation. However, according to the protesters, this fragile hope for justice was crushed once again when the influential Ravi Khatri allegedly intervened. Using his political and financial clout, he managed to secure the release of the accused from custody.
The demonstrators claimed that Ravi Khatri not only obstructed the investigation but also attempted to resolve the matter informally through a panchayat (a traditional community council). The panchayat, according to the Odh community, imposed a fine of 60,000 rupees on Khatri, acknowledging his role in the case. However, when the victims’ families demanded the money, they were told that the accused had absconded and nothing more could be done.
The victims’ families described this as an example of how traditional justice systems are often manipulated by powerful individuals to protect criminals rather than provide justice to the weak. “Instead of punishing the culprits and ensuring the safe return of our children, the entire matter was brushed aside with a token fine that was never even paid,” said one of the protest leaders.
Adding to their ordeal, the protestors accused Ravi Khatri of issuing death threats against them. “He openly warns us that if we continue to raise our voices, we will be killed,” said Krishna Lal, a community elder. Another protestor, Shrimati Gulabi Bai, stated with visible fear: “We live in constant terror. Our children are missing, and now our own lives are in danger.”
The protestors appealed directly to senior law enforcement officials, specifically Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sukkur and SSP Sukkur, demanding that they intervene without delay. Their demands included:
- Immediate recovery of the three missing boys who they firmly believe are still alive and possibly being held in India.
- Arrest and prosecution of all accused individuals, including Darshan Lal, Sahnu Mal, Ravi Khatri, and Atam Das, who they allege orchestrated the abduction and trafficking.
- Protection for the protesting families, who fear violent retaliation from the accused due to their repeated attempts to seek justice.
The protest outside the press club drew attention from journalists, human rights activists, and local citizens who expressed sympathy for the families. Many called the situation a tragic reflection of the wider issues of human trafficking, abuse of power, and the marginalization of vulnerable communities in Sindh and other parts of Pakistan.
Human rights observers noted that the Odh community, being socially and economically disadvantaged, often finds itself without adequate protection or representation. Cases such as these highlight the urgent need for the state to step in, provide safeguards to weaker communities, and ensure accountability of those who misuse their influence.
The incident also underscores the transnational dimensions of child trafficking, with the victims’ families alleging that their children were smuggled across the border to India. If true, this adds a diplomatic angle to the tragedy, potentially requiring cooperation between Pakistani and Indian authorities to investigate and repatriate the missing children.
As the protest concluded, the voices of the Odh community rang out with a mixture of desperation and determination. “We will not stop until our children are returned,” said Koto Mal, another leader of the group. “For five years we have waited in pain. We ask the government, the police, and every authority in this country: how much longer must we wait?”
The case remains under the shadow of unanswered questions, alleged police inaction, and the chilling reality of trafficking networks that prey on the vulnerable. The families of Goromal, Shamshad, and Ravi Kumar cling to hope, standing in the scorching sun outside Sukkur Press Club, demanding the same thing any parent would—justice and the safe return of their children.
Until those demands are met, the Odh community vows to continue their struggle, no matter the threats they face. Their plea has now reached the public sphere, and it remains to be seen whether the authorities will finally respond with meaningful action or allow yet another case of injustice to fade into silence.
