March, 17 2005	Thursday	06 Safar 1426

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DADU, March 16: Three teachers who have been on hunger strike for 16 days were taken to the Dadu Civil Hospital on Wednesday as their condition deteriorated. The teachers, Zaman Soomro, Syed Mushtaq Shah and Ali Raza Jamali, were hospitalized after they fell unconscious. Later, Mr Shah and Mr Jamali were referred to the Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, and Mr Soomro was shifted to the People’s Medical College Hospital, Nawabshah. Their fourth colleague, Amanullah Hingoro, is still on hunger strike unto death. Meanwhile, two more teachers, Dadu taluka Primary Teachers Association vice-president Ghulam Shabbir Magsi and Rafiq Ahmad Zour, started hunger strike unto death on Wednesday.

They are demanding payment of salary to 58 teachers appointed on quota for children of deceased employees. Dadu civil surgeon Dr Javed Ahmad Dawach said Mr Shah and Mr Jamali were suffering from hepatitis-B and Mr Soomro was a kidney patient, therefore, they were referred to the teaching hospitals.

Awami Tehrik leader Rasool Bux Palijo, Dadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Ghulam Shah Malkani and Citizens’ Action Committee president Inayat Jamali visited the hunger strike camp and assured the teachers of their support.

STRIKE: A shutter-down strike was observed in Bhan Saeedabad on the call of the Citizens’ Action Committee on Wednesday to demand recovery of Sehwan Taluka Naib Nazim Mohammad Juman Rahpoto and trader Mohammad Suleman Rind, kidnapped in Gujrat six days ago.

Main trade centres, bazaars and the Sabzi Mandi remained closed. Hundreds of people, including activists of different political parties, held a demonstration on the Indus Highway, blocking the traffic for one hour.

The protesters were led by Sehwan taluka People’s Party Parliamentarians president Nisar Lund.

AT: Awami Tehrik president Rasool Bux Palijo has accused Punjab of releasing poisonous water into Sindh through the Right Bank Outfall Drain and the Left Bank Outfall Drain.

Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, he said release of poisonous water affected Sindh agriculture and posed threat to the health of local people. He demanded registration of a case against officers concerned of Punjab for releasing poisonous water into Sindh.

Mr Palijo alleged that the Punjab establishment was stopping river water of Sindh through Jhelum and Taunsa canals.

He called for formation of a committee to ensure judicious distribution of water among the provinces. He observed that the Kalabagh dam was dangerous for Sindh and its people would continue their protest against the project.