18 January 2004	Sunday	25 Ziqa'ad 1424

THORI PHATAK, Jan 17: The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz has announced that its activists will observe a hunger strike unto death against greater Thal canal and Kalabagh dam projects from Feb 11 outside the Karachi Press Club.

The announcement was made at a function of birth anniversary of G. M. Syed, the founder of the Jeay Sindh Movement, that was organized on Saturday outside Sann at Thori Phatak in the wake of a controversy between the JSQM leadership and heirs of the late Syed.

The place was chosen by the JSQM leadership to pay homage to five party activists who were shot dead by law enforcers on Oct 17, 1984.

The meeting observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the deceased activists.

JSQM chief Bashir Qureshi led a convoy of vehicles to Sann to lay floral wreath on the shrine of G. M. Syed while a separate function, organized by the family of the late Syed, was in progress at the main ground.

He then left for Thori Phatak for his party's programme and cut a cake.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Qureshi sought the cooperation of Urdu-speaking people in the party's struggle against water projects.

He said thousands of JSQM activists had enrolled for the hunger strike unto death.

JSQM vice-chairman Dr Niaz Kalani said the partywould continue its struggle for the rights of the province.

JSQM senior vice-chairman Mujtab Rashdi said the late Syed was their revolutionary teacher.

He said some intellectuals of Sindh were opposing reopening of the Khokhrapar route to make the people feel that those who had closed it were the friends of the province.

The meeting, in a resolution, said the people of Sindh had the first right over water of the Indus River and rejected water projects on the river.

It also demanded release of political prisoners.

Arbab Khuawar, Jam Saqi and Ghulam Rasoo Chandio also spoke on the occasion.