19 February 2004	Thursday	27 Zilhaj 1424

MIRPURKHAS, Feb 18: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz activists took out a procession and staged a sit-in here on Wednesday to protest against Kalabagh dam and Thal canal projects.

The procession began from railway station roundabout and culminated at press club. Led by district JSQM president Akram Qambrani and District Bar Association chief Ali Hassan Chandio, the participants raised slogans against the controversial water projects.

Speaking on the occasion, JSQM leader Manzoor Memon alleged that a particular province wanted to irrigate its land at the cost of rendering the Sindh land barren.

He said that the protest was aimed at expressing solidarity with JSQM workers observing hunger strike unto death outside the Karachi Press Club. Mr Chandio urged the JSQM workers and the Sindh people to be ready for rendering sacrifices for their rights.

Mr Qambrani said that the JSQM's struggle would continue till the restoration of the rights of Sindh. Jeay Sindh Students' Federation leader Zeeshan Leghari deplored that one week had passed but the government had not taken any notice of the hunger strike unto death.

The speakers announced that a token hunger would be observed at Post Office round about here on Friday. Later, the protesters staged a sit-in on Mirpurkhas- Hyderabad road for half an hour, causing suspension of traffic flow.

NAZIM: District Nazim Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani has advised Ulema of different sects to spread message of peace and brotherhood during Muharram to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the district. He was speaking at a meeting of the Muharram Peace Committee here on Wednesday which was attended by the taluka Nazims, Ulema, the DCO and DPO.