HYDERABAD, Sept 12: Fisheries Employees Action Committee Sindh has threatened to observe two-hour pen down strike daily if an FIR was not registered against assailants of Assistant Director Fisheries Khalilur Rehman Wagan. It also demanded arrest of those involved in assaulting officials in Thatta.

Assistant Director Mir Allahdad Talpur, DO Thatta Abdul Jabbar Memon, Habibur Rehman Narejo Director and others said in a press conference on Wednesday that on September 11, Assistant Director Fisheries, Keenjhar Lake, Khalilur Rehman Wagan was assaulted by Adam Gandro, Hameed Gandro and others when he was returning from the Directorate with licenses of fishermen. Licenses were snatched from Khalilur Rehman after seriously injuring him, they alleged.

They alleged Adam Gandro was an extortionist and land grabber adding that on September 5, Director Fisheries Sindh Inland Hyderabad received an application from fishermen living near Keenjhar Lake regarding harassment by the accused as he wanted to occupy the Community Hall of Fisheries Department.

In response to the application Khalilur Rehman was directed to end illegal fishing and occupation of government building they said and added that he was returning from the Directorate’s office when attacked by accused and deprived of the licenses. He fell unconscious and was taken to the Civil Hospital Thatta, they said.

Director Fisheries Sindh Khawar Pervez Awan and other employees went to the Keenjhar Lake Police Post to lodge an FIR but Head Munshi refused to register it on the plea that the SHO was not present and who remained absent on Wednesday also, they said.

They appealed to the Sindh government to order registration of FIR against Adam Gandro for extorting money, grabbing land and assaulting Khalilur Rehman.

The employees threatened to observe two-hour pen down strike daily till the restoration of justice.

To a query they answered that though Adam Gandro claims to be the leader of fishermen but in fact was their tormentor. The employees also staged a protest demonstration outside the press club.

beautification plan: Director Malir Development Project Shafiqur Rehman Paracha who has been assigned by the Sindh Governor and Chief Minister to prepare and supervise the beautification plan of Sehwan Town and ensure facilities to the devotees of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz met the DCO Jamshoro Ahmed Bux Narejo, the DPO K.K. Memon, District Naib Nazim, Abdul Hameed Buledi, taluka and UC Nazims and officials of the district government, on Tuesday. He inspected different areas of the Sehwan town.

During the urs of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, governor and the CM had announced Rs100 million for beautification plan of the city with an assurance to double the amount if need arose.

Shafiqur Rehman Paracha stressed the need for evolving a comprehensive strategy to implement Sehwan beautification plan and called upon all those involved in preparation and implementation to perform their duties with dedication and commitment.

He said major problems during urs were water supply, drainage, encroachment and traffic jams which require resolution judiciously and without any excesses. Nevertheless, he said all hurdles will be tackled in a legal manner.