LARKANA, March 1: On a call of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, a strike was observed in most districts of interior of Sindh on Wednesday in protest against the arrest of party general secretary Dr Safdar Sarki.
A partial strike was observed in Thatta, but people of Sanghar and Mirpurkhas did not respond to the call.
However, talking to Dawn, JSQM chairman Bashir Qureshi claimed that there was a positive response to the strike call throughout Sindh.
He alleged that more than 250 activists were arrested by law-enforcement agencies.
He warned that if party workers were not released forthwith, he would give another call for a general strike.
Mr Qureshi alleged that ever since his arrest on Feb 23, Dr Sarki was being held incommunicado by law-enforcement agencies and was being tortured.
In Larkana, a shutter-down strike was observed in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts. Main trade centres, petrol pumps and schools remained closed and traffic on roads was thin.
JSQM chairman Bashir Qureshi led a procession in Ratodero which after marching through main roads reached the main bus terminal.
HYDERABAD: There was no sign of strike in City and Latifabad talukas and a complete strike was observed in the Qasimabad taluka and the
Tando Jam town of the Hyderabad rural taluka.
Activists of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation staged a sit-in on the Tandojam-Mirpurkhas road.
Reports from Matiari and Tando Allahyar said there was a lukewarm response to the strike call and all main bazaars and shops remained open. However, vehicular traffic in the two districts remained thin.
There was a positive response to the strike call in the Tando Mohammad Khan district.
NAWABSHAH: A shutter-down strike was observed in the district. Except for shops in Manubad, Essarpura and adjoining areas, all main markets remained closed.
A truck and a tractor trolley were set ablaze by some people in Qazi Ahmad. Incidents of aerial firing and pelting stones on shops and cars were also reported from different parts of the city.
Police arrested more than 50 activists of the JSQM and its students wing.
DADU: A strike was observed in Dadu, Mehar, Radhan, Thariri Mohabbat, Kolachi, Faridabad, Gozo, Nau Goth, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi, Bhan Syedabad, Sehwan Sharif, Jamshoro, Sann and Kotri towns.
Police arrested 18 JSQM activists in Dadu and Jamshoro.
Party workers took out a procession and held a demonstration at the Mahessar chowk in Mehar.
Police baton-charged protesters when they refused to disperse, injuring 10 of them. Six of the injured were arrested. Khalid Mahessar was sent to the Chandka Medical College Hospital because of his critical condition.
KHAIRPUR: All main bazaars in the city remained closed.
Police detained JSQM leader Jamil Sehto for pressuring shopkeepers to close their shops.
A strike was also observed in Ranipur.
Police arrested seven JSQM workers.
BADIN: A strike was observed in Badin, Golarchi, Matli, Tando Bago, Kadhan, Nindo Shehar, Kario Ghanwar, Talhar and other towns of the district.
Activists of the JSQM took out processions in different towns.
SHIKARPUR: Bazaars and trade centres in the city remained closed.
JSQM leaders demanded release of party activists and withdrawal of what they called false cases against them.
JACOBABAD: Main business centres, Shahi Bazaar, Cloth Market and Sarafa Bazaar remained closed as a strike was observed in the district. Some shops along Tower and Cinema roads remained opened.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: JSQM activists took out processions and held demonstrations in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Kandiaro, Tharushah and other towns of the district.
THATTA: There was a partial response to the strike call in Mirpur Bathoro, Jhoke Sharif, Daro, Chuhar Jamali and Jati areas of the district.
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