Interior Sindh shut against LG ordinance
14 September, 2012
KARACHI: A complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was observed in interior Sindh to protest against the Local Governments Ordinance. However, a partial strike was observed in Karachi where Sindhi and Baloch areas remained closed. The strike call was given by the Sindh Bachayo Committee (SBC), an alliance of Sindhi nationalist parties of Sindh, including Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Tehreek, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Awami Tehreek, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, National People's Party, Pakistan Peoples' Party-Shaheed Bhutto and Civil Society of Sindh. Professional bodies, human rights activists and writers' organisations had also announced their support for the strike. Protest demonstrations were held in all major cities, including Larkana, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, Faizganj, Sakrand, Moro, Qazi Ahmad and Sanghar. Unidentified people opened fire on a rally in Hyderabad, injuring several protesters. Business activities came to a halt in cities of the province, including Sukkur, Nawabshah, Larkana, Khairpur, Daddu, Naushehro Feroze, Moro, Faizganj, Gambat, Ranipur, Rohiri, Ghotki, Pir Jo Goth, Wada Machoon, Babarlo, Therrhi, Kumb, Padedan, Thatta, Golarrchi, Choohar Jamali, Badin, Fazil Rahou, Talhar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Islam Kot, Sakrand, Dolat Pur, Jhudo, Khai and Umer Kot. In Karachi, strike was also observed in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gadap Town, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bhens Colony, Abdullah Goth, Pipri, Sindhi Goth, Gaghar Phattak, Chakra Goth, Bilal Colony, Gulshan-e-Mehran, Mehran Town, Bhittai Colony Korangi, Sachal Goth, Safora Goth, Mosmyat, Memon Goth, Lyari, Baloch Goth and Baloch Colony, Malir, Maripur, Bhitiabad, Dhani Bukhsh, Khaskhekli Goth, Rashidi Goth, Razaq Abad, Peer Goth and Bin Qasim Colony. Workers and supporters of nationalist parties staged rallies and sit-ins at several places, including Indus and national highways, Sehwan Bypass, Khairpur Bypass, Rohiri Bypass, Larkana-Khairpur Bridge Bypass, Faizganj and Hyderabad. PML-F leader Sarfaraz Junejo accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers of opening fire on their rally, which injured four workers. He said a worker, Shahid Jarwar, succumbed to his injuries. To a question, he said the armed men also forced shopkeepers and traders to open their businesses. In Hyderabad, the SUP, JSQM, STP and AT took out a rally. Police and Rangers stopped the protesters at Hyder Chowk. JSQM Senior Vice Chairman Akash Malah said a party's workers had opened fire on the procession. He said the rally was peaceful. He said, "Today's successful and peaceful strike proves a referendum against the PPP government and SPLGO which could not accept at all because it's a practically attempt to divide Sindh." Meanwhile, SBC convener Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah said that the people had given their decision against the SPLGO and it was not acceptable to them in any shape. He praised businessmen and traders for cooperating and participating in the strike. Addressing a press conference at Hyder Manzil, he said, "Today's strike is an initial step against anti-people ordinance." End.
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