June 24, 2002	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1423

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QUETTA, June 23: A black day was observed in Quetta and other areas of the province on Sunday on the appeal of Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) against the deployment of law-enforcement agencies in Dera Bugti and siege of Nawab Bugti’s residence.

The supporters and workers of the JWP and others political parties hoisted black flags at their houses and wore black arm-bands. All other political parties condemned the Dera Bugti situation also hoisted black flags at their offices and houses.

Reports coming from Dera Bugti and Sui say that Bugti tribesmen and other people observed black day and hoisted black flags at their houses.

Similar reports of protests were received from Dera Murad Jamali, Usta Mohammad, Sibi, Khuzdar, Kalat, Mastung and other areas of the province where JWP supporters and well-wishers observed the black day.

Reports said the protest meetings were also held in various areas in which party leaders and other speakers condemned deployment of the law-enforcement agencies in and around Dera Bugti.

Parties slam siege: All the parties of Balochistan have condemned the heavy deployment of the civil armed forces in Dera Bugti and laying siege to Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti’s residence in Dera Bugti.

The parties, which issued a joint communique on Saturday following their meeting late on Friday night, termed the operation illegal, inhuman and harmful to the province.

The meeting, presided over by Maulana Abdul Haq Baloch of the Jamaat-i-Islami, reviewed the situation of Dera Bugti and other areas of the district, where several thousands personnel of the Frontier Corps have been deployed by the federal government.

Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) leader Shamim Khan Afradi expressed his apprehension that the federal government might launch a big operation in the next 24 hours. The meeting decided to extend full support to Nawab Bugti.