HYDERABAD, March 2: The strike call by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal against price hike, unemployment and policies of the government received a mixed response in the interior of Sindh on Saturday.
Police detained and arrested scores of MMA activists in different cities, with 71 arrests in Sukkur alone.
In most of interior towns, traffic remained thin.
Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim paid a whirlwind visit to Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas and other areas to monitor the situation.
Reports from Sindh interior said a complete strike was observed in Jacobabad, Nawabshah, Shikarpur and Khairpur towns but in other towns, the strike was partial.
Criminal cases were registered against MMA activists in Thatta for anti-state activities, rioting and violation of section 144, Cr.PC.
In Hyderabad, Latifabad and Qasimabad talukas, there was complete strike.
However, few shops were found open in some markets. Traffic remained thin and at times roads seemed deserted.
MMA MPA Abdul Rehman Rajput blamed Muttahida Qaumi Movement activists for forcing shopkeepers to open shops at Tilak Incline, Noor Mohammad High School and Phulelli. He said he was detained at the city police station for one hour when he went there for reporting the matter.
Police detained several MMA activists, including district party president Abdul Waheed Qureshi.
The chief minister arrived at Hyderabad in a chopper and was taken to different areas where some shops were open.
SUKKUR: Police baton-charged shopkeepers and protesting people in several areas of the district and made over 71 arrests. Dozens of people were also injured.
An MMA spokesman claimed that over 200 party activists had been arrested and more than 100 others were missing.
Police forced shopkeepers to open shops and also raided the Madressah Manzil Gah and beat students.
Due to police excesses, small traders’ organizations of various bazaars who had earlier assured the administration that they would open shops decided to observe a complete strike throughout the city. Traffic remained suspended.
Shopkeepers Mohammad Naqi and Mohammad Shamim and teacher Qari Hafizullah alleged that the DPO had ordered police to arrest people having beards.
Police also seized motorcycles from many elderly people.
MIRPURKHAS: A partial strike was observed here. There was no response to the strike call in Mirwah, Digri, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Mohammad, Naukot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Samaro, Kunri and Umerkot.
Police on Friday night detained Taluka JI Ameer Digri Yasin Gujjar and activist Mohammad Alam.
The chief minister visited parts of the city.
SANGHAR: A partial strike was observed in various areas here but there was no strike in the district headquarters.
Police detained four activists of the MMA in Shahdadpur and two in Khipro for persuading people to observe strike.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: The strike call received a mixed response in the district.
BADIN: In Badin and Matli towns, a partial strike was observed. Police detained 10 MMA activists.
THATTA: Except for Sujawal, the strike call got no response in the district.
Police arrested five MMA leaders and registered cases against them for anti-state activities, rioting and violation of section 144, Cr. PC.
The MMA claimed that its 28 office-bearers from Thatta and 10 from Sujawal had been arrested.
JACOBABAD: A complete strike was observed here. However, shops in Kandhkot, Kashmore and Garhi Khero remained open.
Police arrested five MMA activists.
NAWABSHAH: A complete strike was observed in the district. Roads wore a deserted look in the morning.
Business activities, however, remained normal in Sakrand, Qazi Ahmad, Daur, Bandhi and Daulatpur. Police arrested two MMA leaders.
SHIKARPUR: A complete strike was observed in Shikarpur while strike in Garhi Yasin, Lakhi, Madeji and Dakhan towns was partial.
Local transport in the city plied as usual.
KHAIRPUR: A strike was observed in Khairpur and other main towns of the district.
DADU: A partial strike was observed in Dadu on Saturday.
MITHI: The MMA strike call received no response here as business activities in Tharparkar district’s towns and villages remained normal.
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