HYDERABAD: A call for a nationwide strike for Saturday to mourn the death of over 55 members of the Shia community who lost their lives in a terrorist attack on Markazi Imambargah Maula Ali in Shikarpur a day earlier brought the entire interior of Sindh to a standstill.

The call was given by the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, Jaffria Alliance and Shia Ulema Council and supported by all religious and political parties and groups, including Sindhi nationalist groups.

All four talukas of Hyderabad district remained shut and public and private transport stayed off the roads and highways throughout the day.

Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamsh­oro and Tando Mohammad Khan also observed a complete strike.

Some motorcyclists wearing waving black flags resorted to firing into the air in the Market Tower, Haider Chowk, Latifabad Unit Nos 2, 7, 9,10 and others localities late on Friday night spreading panic and forcing traders and shopkeepers to pull down the shutters. However, no casualties were reported.

Angry youths also burnt used tyres, threw stones and bricks and raised slogans against terrorism while blocking various thoroughfares.

The MWM, SUC and Jaffria Alliance, as well as smaller Shia organisations organised protest rallies, demonstrations and sit-ins across the province.

The Qaumi Awami Tehreek and the Women Action Forum (WAF) also organised rallies and a candlelit vigil, respectively, in Hyderabad.

SUKKUR: A shutdown was observed in almost all cities and towns in the upper region of the province, reports from different parts of Sukkur, Ghotki, Jacobabad and Kandhkot-Kashmore districts suggested.

There were no reports of violence from any area of the districts during a complete closure of bazaars, markets, trade and shopping centres, fuel stations and public and private educational institutions.

The region witnessed widespread protest rallies organised by various religious, political and nationalist parties as well as social organisations.

Vehicular traffic remained thin and the Indus Highway, National Highway and other intercity routes wore a deserted look but long queues of cargo vehicles were seen stuck at some points along the highways leading to Balochistan and Punjab as protest rallies and sit-ins kept their way blocked till dusk.

DADU: A dawn to dusk shutterdown was observed across Dadu district while the MWM, SUC and several Shia groups organised protest rallies and demonstrations in Dadu city, Johi, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sehwan, Kotri, Jamshoro and Sann.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Protest rallies and sit-ins were held in most towns of Naushahro Feroze district during a complete closure observed by people belonging to all walks of life to mourn the deaths in the Shikarpur tragedy and condemn the attack on the Imambargah.

The protests were held in Moro, Mithiyani, Padidan, Bhiriya Road, Bhiriya City, Tharushah, Khanwahan, Kandiaro, Mehrab Pur and other parts of Naushahro Feroze district, besides the city.

The lawyer fraternity also staged protest demonstrations in Moro, Bhiriya City and Kandiaro and boycotted court proceedings.

KHAIRPUR: Khairpur city and all other big and small towns of the district remained closed as no business, trade, commercial and educational concerns opened in the morning.

Members of the Shia community took out rallies and held demonstrations and sit-ins at many places in Khairpur city, Gambat, Ranipur, Faiz Gunj, Pakka Chaang, Thari Mirwah, Babarloi, Piryaloi, Sui Gas township and Khuhra. Followers of other sects also joined in the protests to express solidarity with the aggrieved sect.

BADIN: A total closure was observed across Badin district to mourn the victims of the Shikarpur Imambargah tragedy.

Protesters carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against terrorism and unabated killing of Shias marched through the streets of various cities and towns, including Badin city, Matli, Golarchi, Talhar, Tando Ghulam Ali, Tando Bago, Kadhan, Nindo Shahar, Khorwah, Kario Ghanwar, Pangrio, Dei, Shadi Large, Rajo Khanani and Budho Qambrani. They raised slogans for the protection of citizens.

Vehicular traffic across the district, including highways and other intercity routes, remained off the road.

MIRPURKHAS: A complete shutdown was observed in Mirpurkhas city, Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Tando Jan Mohammed, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Mohammed, Jhilori, Sindhri, Phuladiyoon, Hingorno, Khaan and other towns.

Protesters burnt tyres and junk at various places along deserted roads to vent their anger over the terrorist attack on the Shikarpur Imambargah.

Widespread protest rallies and demonstrations were reported from different parts of the district.

UMERKOT: Umerkot city, Samaro, Kunri, Pithoro and other cities and towns of the district also witnessed shutterdown, rallies and demonstrations against the attack on the Imambargah.

Vehicular traffic remained off the road throughout the district. The biggest rally was taken out from Panj Pir Imambargah in Umerkot city which ended at the local press club. People from all walks of life and and followers of all sects took part in the rally.

The participants later held a sit-in at Allahwala Chowk.

MITHI: A shutterdown was also observed in Mithi, where the SUC, Qaumi Awami Tehreek and several civil society groups took out a joint rally to condemn the terrorist attack targeted against the Shia community.

NAWABSHAH: Responding positively to the MWM and SUC call for a day of mourning and shutdown, Nawabshah and other cities and towns of Shaheed Benazirabad district remained closed in protest against the terrorist attack on the Shikarpur Imambargah. Transporters kept their vehicles off the road and movement of private vehicles was also negligible.

Rallies and demonstrations were held in Nawabshah, Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Daur, Bandhi, Daulatpur and others towns, which remained closed throughout the day.

Published in Dawn February 1st, 2015

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