20 January 2005	Thursday	09 Zilhaj 1425

SUKKUR, Jan 19: Activists of the Sindh People's Students Federation observed a token hunger strike in Adam Shah Colony here on Wednesday to protest against the government's action in Sui and Dera Bugti and the failure of the authorities to arrest criminals involved in a reported assault on a lady doctor in Sui, a press release said.

Speaking to the protesters, SPSF leaders Najeeb Domki, Naveed Soomro and others alleged that the government was trying to split the country by lunching an army action in Balochistan.

They warned that if innocent people were killed, a strong protest movement would be launched against the government. They said that the People's Party Parliamentarians was against any army action since it could not resolve the issue, and asserted that the followers of Shaheed Bhutto would support the Baloch people.

The government would itself be responsible for the consequences, they insisted. They also demanded that those who were involved in the assault on the lady doctor be suspended immediately.

DADU: Activists of the Tehrik-i-Insaf held a demonstration outside the press club here to protest against the Balochistan operation and demand the arrest of those involved in the lady doctor case.

They were led by their district president, Sardar Ali Shah. Meanwhile, activists of the Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto) similar demonstration. Led by Ali Mohammad Jamali, the protesters urged the government to resolve the Balochistan issue through negotiations.

LARKANA: The People's Party Parliamentarians, Larkana city, while rejecting any military option in Sui, has called for holding talks to resolve the issue. Local PPP president, Aftab Bhutto, in a meeting held here on Wednesday, claimed that his party was with the people of Balochistan. He demanded immediate steps to ensure justice to the Sui lady doctor.

KHAIRPUR: A large number of political activists, social workers, lawyers, writers and doctors observed a four-hour token hunger strike outside the Civic Centre here to protest against the reported criminal assault on a lady doctor in Sui and a decrease in the seats reserved for women in local bodies.

Later, led by vice-president of the District Bar Association Rana Shah and carrying candles and placards, they took out a procession from the Civic Centre to the local press club.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Shah, Roshan Ghanghro, Niaz Rajpar and others alleged that the government was protecting those involved in the Sui incident. They criticized reduction of the seats reserved for women in the local bodies.