Complete strike observed in Sindh

hyderabad: A complete strike was observed in Sindh on the call of Save Sindh Committee, an alliance of nationalist parties, on Saturday to lodge protest against administrative bifurcation of province.

The activists of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), Sindh National Front (SNF), Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP), Awami Tehreek (AT), Sindhiyani Tehreek (ST) and other parties took out rallies and staged sit-ins in different towns across the province.

Ghotki: According to reports reaching here Ubauro, Daharki, Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Khanpur Mahar and other towns were closed while the activists of nationalist parties took out rallies in Ghotki, Ubauro and Daharki.

They also chanted slogans against the government for restoring abolished system of LG in Karachi and Hyderabad on the demand of MQM. The protesters staged sit-in at different places. The activists of SNF, JSQM, STPP and other organizations took part in the protest.

Badin: Complete shutter down strike was observed while Awami Tehreek and its women wing Sindhiyani Tehreek took out rally. The male and female protesters holding sticks chanted slogans against the MQM. They staged sit-in at Qazia Wah and burnt tyres.

Thatta: The district was also completely shut where the protesters burnt effigy of former federal law minister Babar Awan and cursed him by offering funeral prayer for him in absentia. Rallies were taken out in Thatta, Sujawal, Gharo, Mirpur Bathoro, Makli and other towns of district. All petrol pumps were also closed while the banks too chose to put their shutters down.

Awami Tehreek and Sindhiyani Tehreek took out rallies. The women activists carried the mock coffin of Babar Awan and after offering funeral prayer full of curses put his effigy on fire in front of local press club. STPP and JSQM took out separate rally while their activists put barriers on roads and burnt tyres.

Jati: A partial strike was observed in Jati, the coastal town of Thatta district where the shops and other business activities resumed after 11.00a.m. The activists of Sindh United Party (SUP), STPP, JSQM and others burnt tyres at the roads.

Sanghar: Strike was observed in various cities of district Sanghar including Khadro, Sinjhoro, Jhol,Shahpur Chakar and other towns while STPP took out rally in Khadro.

Shahpur Chakar: Complete shutter down and wheel-jam strike was observed in Shahpur Chakar where Jeay Sindh Tehreek, STPP, Awami Jamhoori Council, Awami Tehreek, PPP Shaheed Bhutto and other parties took out a big rally and marched through different roads. They staged demo outside local press club and chanted slogans demanding the government to respect mandate of people of Sindh.

Shahdadpur: Complete shutter down and wheel-jam strike was also observed in Shahdadpur, Sarhari, LundoSharif and adjoining areas of Sanghar district. No transport could leave for Hyderabad and Karachi. Rallies were also taken out.

Khairpur: Complete strike was observed in all eight Talukas of district including Khairpur, Pir Jo Goth, Gambat, Sobho Dero, Thari Mirwah, Faiz Gunj, Kotdiji and Naro. Even the public transport remained off the roads. The nationalist parties took out rallies, staged demonstrations, sit-ins and burnt tyres. Four activists of nationalist parties were rounded up by police in Gambat.

Naushehro Feroze: Unprecedented strike was observed in entire Naushehro Feroze district where the citizens’ organizations too joined the protest and took out rallies along with nationalist parties. The public transport remained off the roads while the national highway passing through the district wore desert look as no transport including trucks and trailers operated between any of the towns or to upcountry. The similar reports were received from Kandiyaro, Bhiria City, Bhirya Road, Padidan, Moro and other towns of the district where the people burnt effigies of rulers and chanted slogans against them.

The activists staged sit-ins at different places at national highway for three hours. In Moro, even the lawyers could not go to the courts. Complete transport strike was observed while tyres were burnt at main intersections of town. Rallies were also taken out.

Larkana/Ratodero: A total shutter down and wheel-jam strike was observed in twin districts Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot. All major business centers, shops etc. were closed while the venders and pushcart owners showed solidarity and kept their business closed. The nationalist parties held demonstrations, staged sit-ins and burnt tyres in all the towns of two districts including Naudero and Rato Dero. No public transport operated between Larkana-Sukkur or other towns. National highway was blocked near Agani village by burning the tyres. Khushhal Khan Khattak Express train, coming from Karachi, was also forced to stop near Kehar village for many hours.

In Larkana, the main road was blocked near Jinnah Bagh after taking out a big rally. The police took 40 activists in to custody in two districts.

Tando Allahyar: A person was sustained injuries in aerial firing in Tando Allahyar while miscreants caused damage to the Sabzi Mandi by setting ablaze many vegetable carts. Strike was also observed here. There was no transport on highway between Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas. Aerial firing was also reported in Sukkur.

Shutter down strike, wheel-jam strike, rallies, sit-ins, demos, setting tyres on fire etc. were also reported from Dadu, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot, Kashmore and other towns of Sindh. The unknown miscreants also damaged many vehicles on Indus Highway near Jamshoro and burnt an oil tanker. Three cars were also set on fire in Hyderabad while several vehicles were also damaged on National Highway in Jacobabad. (PPI)