HYDERABAD, Aug 9: A large number of women and children, under the banner of the Sindhi Hari Tehrik (SHT), staged protest demonstrations outside the press club and the DPO office here on Thursday against the arrest of SHT leaders, Siddiq Otho, Yaqoob Otho, Urs Rind and others.

Speaking at the rally, SHT leader Vishno Mal said police had arrested the hari leaders after taking money from their opponents who he said belonged to “Qabza” group.

He demanded immediate release of the leaders.

Later, DPO A.D Khawaja told newsmen that an FIR had been registered against the accused and added if the arrested persons were found innocent they would be released.

JSSF: The activists of the Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF) staged a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Thursday.

They were protesting against the continued imprisonment of JSQM chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi, vice-chairman Dr Niaz Kalani, JSSF president Khehar Ansari, Zaffar Korejo and Waheed Soomro.

Talking to newsmen the information secretary, JSQM, Dr Zulfiqar Panwhar, and other leaders said the government was not prepared to release Qureshi as it was afraid of the movement launched by the party against anti-Sindh water projects and for the rights of Sindhi people.

They said Qureshi was implicated in false cases and demanded his immediate release.