June 16, 2003	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 15, 1424

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SUKKUR, June 15: At least 65 houses were bulldozed and over 200 suspects were arrested in Sindh-Balochistan border area of Jacobabad district on Sunday as the operation against outlaws by the police of two provinces entered its fourth day.

The police, assisted by personnel of different law enforcement agencies, raided areas of RD-109, RD-44, RD-34, RD-36 and Bugti Colony near Kandhkot. They also seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, along with stolen vehicles, motorcycles and tractors.

Sources in the area said three persons were killed and some policemen were injured in the firing. However, police officials have not confirmed it.

The IG of Balochistan police, Shoaib Saddle, is supervising the operation in Balochistan and is camped at a rest house in Jaferabad.

This correspondent tried to contact Mr Saddle on telephone but he was told by the operator that the IGP was busy in a meeting.

The AIG, Sukkur range, Rahoo Khan Brohi, DIG, Ramzan Channa, and the DPO, Jacobabad, who are supervising the operation in Sindh, could also not be contacted for information about the progress of the operation.

MINISTER: The Sindh minister for population welfare, Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, has said work on the controversial greater Thal canal project should be stopped.

Speaking at a press conference at the circuit house here on Saturday, Mr Shaikh said the Sindh Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution against construction of the Thal canal and the matter was now placed before the president and the prime minister.

He said the problem could not be resolved by resorting to street protests and constitutional means would be used to settle the issue. He said the issue of the Thal canal should be presented in the Council of Common Interests, National Assembly and the Senate to resolve it.