HYDERABAD, Sept 6: Except for Sanghar and Mirpurkhas and two talukas of Hyderabad district, a complete strike was observed in the interior of Sindh on Wednesday on the call of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz in protest against the assassination of veteran Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his followers and the ongoing military operation in Balochistan.
Incidents of aerial firing in Hyderabad and Kandhkot were reported. However, there was no major incident of violence although JSQM activists were reportedly picked up by police.
In Hyderabad district, there was no response to the strike call in the city and Latifabad talukas. However, a complete strike was observed in Qasimabad and Hyderabad rural talukas.
According to reports, two cars were set on fire in Sati Para and Qazi Mohalla. Police said that these incidents had nothing to do with strike.
Attendance in schools and offices was thin as was the vehicular traffic from Hyderabad to interior towns.
Strict security arrangements were made in the city and patrolling was intensified.
TANDO M. KHAN: Reports reaching here from Tando Muhammad Khan said that a complete strike was observed in the entire district. JSQM leaders Abdul Wahid Arisar and Niaz Kalani speaking at a hurriedly called press conference, alleged that the state agencies were responsible for engineering some incidents of violence to sabotage the peaceful strike.
They said that the army operation in Balochistan and the assassination of Nawab Bugti were a prelude to an operation against the nationalist movement in Sindh.
NAWABSHAH: A partial strike was observed in Nawabshah district. All main markets, including Liaquat market, Sarafa bazaar, Masjid road, Hospital road, Kutchehry road, Qazi Ahmed road, Mohini bazaar, Lal Building road and other commercial areas remained closed.
However, some shops in Manuabad, Linepar and Essarpura remained open. Petrol pumps and transport also remained closed as a result of which commuters travelling to other parts of the district faced hardship. Some unknown persons smashed the glasses of a coach (JA-7218) and van (JF-2890) on university road.
Meanwhile, Nawabshah police arrested many JSQM activists including Hashim Leghari, district president, Sher Khan Jamali, Mehboob Khaskheli, Ahsan Jamali and Shah Nawaz Chandio from Nawabshah, Daur and Sakrand.
Sakrand and Daur towns remained completely closed. However, no strike was observed in other towns including Qazi Ahmed, Jam Saheb and Bandhi.
SHIKARPUR: A complete strike was observed in the district against the assassination of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti. All bazaars, business and trade centres and petrol pumps remained closed whereas traffic remained suspended during morning hours.
All educational institutions, banks and government offices remained open as usual.
JACOBABAD: A complete strike was observed in Jacobabad and Kandhkot districts. All the main bazaars and shops remained closed.
Some shops were opened in Kandhkot and JSQM activists reportedly opened aerial fire. The city police reached there and arrested two persons, including Abdul Majid Bhangwar. The police lodged an FIR against four persons.
KHAIRPUR: A complete strike was observed in Khairpur city and other main towns of the district. Main markets of the Khairpur city, including Shahi bazaar, Mustafa bazaar, Khajoor Mandi, Sabzi Mandi, spare parts market as well as small and big restaurants remained closed.
The A-section police, Khairpur, raided different places to arrest JSQM workers. A heavy police contingent led by two DSPs raided an Otaq following information about presence of JSQM workers and Fayaz Khamisani there. Police searched the Otaq but did not find any JSQM workers there.
When press photographers tried to take snaps of the raid, police officials did not allow them.
A complete strike was also observed in Pakka Chang, Thari Mirwah, Setharja, Hingorja, Gambat and other main towns of the district.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: A complete strike was observed up to 12 noon in Moro, Mithiani, Padidan, Kandiaro, Halani, Tharushah and partial strike in Mehrabpur.
DADU: A complete strike was observed in Dadu and Jamshoro districts. Dadu, Johi, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Phulji station, Bhan Syedabad, Sehwan, Sann, Jamshoro and Kotri towns remained closed.
Transport remained suspended. The Indus Highway police arrested JSSF district president Mujeebur Rehman Panhwar and Khalid Hussain Panhwar. Some armed men set ablaze two private cars.
THATTA: A complete strike was observed in Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro towns and a partial srike was observed in Daro, Bannu, Laiqpur, Gharo and Gujjo.
Youths burnt tyres in some parts of Thatta district.
MIRPURKHAS: The strike call of the JSQM got no response in the city as all areas and business centres remained open. Traffic was normal. Security arrangements were made to avert any untoward incident.
However, shops remained closed in areas such as Makhan Samoon, Kot Mirs, 10-mile Mori and Mir Ki Landhi.
LARKANA: Protesting the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in a military operation, a complete strike was observed in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot district on the JSQM.
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