June 11, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

QUETTA, June 10: A shutter down strike was observed here on Monday in support of striking government employees and teachers of the district, who are demanding 40 per cent special allowance.

The strike call was given by Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) and Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement, Balochistan, to show solidarity with protesting employees.

It was the second shutter down strike here in a week. On June 5, the business community had observed a strike on the appeal of the striking employees.

The traders responded positively to the strike call and did not open their shops. Only hotels, medical stores and newspaper stalls were open.

However, the shops and bazaars remained opened at Jail Road, Joint Road, Brewery Road and on outskirts of the city.

The administration deployed heavy contingents of police and Balochistan reserve police at different points to avert any untoward incident. However, no such incident was reported.

Meanwhile, the hunger strike unto death of four leaders of striking employees entered its 9th day.

Labour leader Khair Mohammad Foreman, who was on hunger strike for the last nine days, was shifted to Civil Hospital as his condition was deteriorating.

He and three other hunger strikers have refused to end their fast until the employees demand is accepted.