SUKKUR May 22: A complete strike was observed in Sukkur on the call of Sukkur Small Traders (SST) on Wednesday against unhygienic conditions, lack of basic amenities and the ill-conceived policies of the Taluka Council.

All the main bazaars and business centres, including Shahi Bazaar, Frere Road, Shaheed Gunj, Nishtar Road, Dhak Road, Cloth Market, Anaj Bazaar, Vegetable and Fruit Market, shops and small cabins remained closed throughout the day.

Almost entire city wore a deserted look with public transport remaining off the road and people staying indoors.

Hundreds of traders, mainly shopkeepers, took to the streets on Monday to voice their concern over the poor living conditions which worsened during the just-ended 10-day strike by sweepers and other sanitation staff who protested against the rude and unsympathetic attitude of the UC. They were demanding prompt payment of their wages. As a result of their staying away from the work, garbage dumps had become a common scene in the city and gutters started overflowing creating a real health hazard.

The SST had warned that a shutter-down strike would be observed on Wednesday if the UC failed to improve the conditions within 24 hours.

Haji Haroon, the SST President, took round the city on Tuesday and observed that only a few main roads had been cleaned apparently to fizzle out the strike call.

Taluka Nazim, Syed Kazim Ali Shah, held a meeting of councillors on Wednesday and described the strike as ‘uncalled for’. He argued that the sweepers had just called off their strike and it will take at least some days to clean the whole city.

BACK TO WORK: The employees of Taluka Council, Sukkur, here on Tuesday called off their 10-day strike unconditionally and returned to work.

The employees, including sweepers and other sanitation staff, had stopped work due to non-payment of salaries and turned violent when the authorities refused to meet their demands and hired extra force on contract basis.

Syed Kazim Ali Shah, Nazim of the council, said the cleaning work in the city had started and the picketers, arrested for indulging in scuffles during the strike, were released.

Meanwhile, the Zila Naib Nazim, Iqbal Dawood, paid a surprise visit to the Taluka Council and found 60 of 130 employees absent. He directed the officials to ensure full attendance.

WATER SUPPLY: The chief engineer, Irrigation, Guddu Barrage, Syed Iqbal Ahmed Shah, asked irrigation officials to make all-out efforts for equitable distribution of water to the Khatedars and to avoid wasting water.

He said this during an open katchery at Ghotki on Wednesday.

He issued instructions and directed officials to prepare a rotation programme for 5,000 cusecs and apprise all the Khatedars accordingly through wide-publicity.