KARACHI, July 8: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee has demanded the release of all those arrested for holding a protest rally at Larkana recently.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Club here on Monday, a deputy convener of the committee, Shoaib Bukhari, said that state forces were causing unnecessary harassment and trying to suppress Muttahida and JSQM workers who had been demonstrating peacefully against the construction of the Greater Thal canal.

He said that people have the right to express themselves peacefully against the government’s steps in a democratic way and under the constitution of the country. The police action against peaceful demonstrators at Larkana is a sources of concern to the permanent residents of Sindh and the government should ensure relief to them, he added.

He said that under a preplanned action, Muttahida and JSQM workers from different parts of the province had turned up for a peaceful sit-in against the Thar Canal project. However, they were treated harshly by the police and some of them were also arrested.

He said that the people of Sindh had already rejected the project and they wanted immediate halt of the ongoing construction work. He demanded of the government to take action against the policemen involved in baton charge and tear-gas.