HYDERABAD: Jeay Sindh Mahaz-R chairman Riaz Chandio, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz leader Dr Niaz Kalani and other leaders of nationalist entities on Monday condemned police action against participants of the ‘Rawadari March’ held in Karachi a day earlier. They announced a Sindh-wide ‘black day’ to be observed on Wednesday (October 16) over the “police brutalities”.

Speaking at a press conference in the local press club, Chandio and Dr Kalani, who were reportedly picked up by police in a crackdown on nationalist leaders and workers hours before they were to set off to Karachi to join the march, said they were detained at different undisclosed places before being let off on Sunday.

They condemned that police used force against the peaceful protesters who were part of the Rawadari March, held to seek justice for [blasphemy suspect] Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar. Dr Kunbhar was shot dead in police custody on Sept 19.

The chief minister and home minister should step down over the brutal treatment meted out to the march participants, they said.

Riaz Chandio, who is also convener of the ‘Justice for Dr Shahnawaz Committee’ formed at a consultation session of nationalist entities a couple of days back, claimed that the police party that had raided his home to detain him took way gold rings and a mobile phone which were not returned to him as yet.

He also accused the provincial government of allowing Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to hold its rally at the same venue and day as was planned by nationalists. The permission was an excuse to take violent action against participants of the peaceful Rawadari March, he said. “They [TLP activists] were allowed to carry arms,” he alleged.

Chandio said that the ‘Justice for Dr Shahnawaz Committee’ had already demanded setting up of a judicial commission comprising three sitting judges of the Sindh High Court on Dr Kunbhar’s custodial killing and torching of his body.

He said another judicial commission should also be formed on police action against Rawadari March participants. He said Dr Soorath, Romasa Chandio, Sindhu Nawaz and Ali Bukshal were ‘daughters of Sindh’ who, along with Jami Chandio and Saif Samejo, were subjected to inhuman treatment by police.

The JSM-R chief also condemned registration of terror cases against protesting activists.

Besides the Sindh-wide ‘black day’ to be observed on Wednesday, a ‘national consultation’ would be held on October 20 in the Hyderabad Press Club against the police brutalities and federal government plans of six canals in Punjab and corporate farming, he said.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024