SUKKUR, Feb 10: Complete shutter-down strike was observed and processions were taken out in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Daharki and Ubauro on Tuesday in protest against the arrest of Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party leader and Raharki Union Council Nazim Jam Fatah Samejo by Punjab police on Monday night.

Main bazaars and business centres remained closed throughout the day in Mirpur Mathelo. Hundreds of activists of Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Sindh National Front, Peoples Party (SB), Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaaz and Sindh United Party took to the streets from Bhittai chowk, shouted slogans against Punjab government and marched on the main roads of the city. They converged on the National Highway, where they staged a sit-in for an hour, suspending entire vehicular traffic between Sindh and Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Zahid Hussain Mirani, Mustafa Naich, Fakir Ramzan Kalwar and others condemned the Punjab police for arresting Mr Samejo and said that he was arrested in a fabricated murder case because he raised voice against release of toxic water to Sindh from Punjab, due to which thousands of acres of agricultural land has turned barren.

They said that another crime of Mr Samejo was that he was raising voice against recruitment of aliens in the Ghotki-based multi-national companies.

In the mean time, heavy contingent of police led by the SPO Mirpur Mathelo Nazir Gujjar reached on the spot, negotiated with the protestors and convinced them to end the blockade, after which the sit-in was called off. However, the protestors warned of protest and blocking national highway, if Mr Samejo was not released within 24 hours.

Condemning the arrest of Jam, the president and general secretary of Mirpur Mathelo Bar Association Abdul Majeed Leghari and Yar Mohammad Jalbani warned of boycotting court proceedings, if he was not released within 24 hours.

Our Hyderabad bureau adds: The Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party condemning arrest of one of their leaders by Punjab police has called for holding protest demonstrations throughout the province.

The party activists in a meeting held on Tuesday criticised Punjab police for arresting their leader Jam Fateh Samejo without taking permission of the Sindh home secretary, or taking into confidence the DPO Gothki.

Dr Qadir Magsi chaired the meeting. It accused a multinational company and feudal lords of conspiring against Samejo as he had opposed the inclusion of 21 Dehs of Sindh into Punjab, issuance of NICs to people of a neighbouring province and privatisation of the Qadirpur Gas Field.

Mr Magsi called upon the Sindh chief minister and the home minister to take notice of action of Punjab police and protect people of their province.

He asked people to participate in the protest against highhandedness of Punjab police.