QUETTA, Aug 27: The Baloch Alliance has given a call for a general strike in Balochistan on Monday to condemn the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Speaking at a press conference at the MPAs’ Hostel on Sunday, leaders of the alliance, the People’s Party Parliamentarians and the Balochistan National Party (Awami) vowed to continue struggle against what they called anti-Baloch forces till the defeat of the oppressors.

The Baloch Alliance will announce its future course of action on Monday after a meeting of its leadership.

National Party secretary-general Mir Hasil Bizenjo urged the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and other democratic forces to join the Baloch Alliance’s protest against the army’s oppression to protect the constitutional and democratic rights of people.

He announced that the alliance would observe 15 days of mourning and flags of its parties would fly at half mast for seven days. He said the killing of Nawab Bugti was a national tragedy.

Mr Bizenjo claimed that the province was in turmoil as people had strongly reacted against the Kohlu killings and observed strike in Usta Mohammad, Dera Murad Jamali, Dera Allahyar, Barkhan, Panjgur, Kech, Gwadar, Nushki, Khuzdar, Kalat and Hub. He said protesters had blocked the Quetta-Karachi National Highway and there was no traffic on the Quetta-Jacobabad road.

He said the widespread protests in the province reflected the grief of the people.

He cautioned that if the body of Baloch leader was not handed over to the alliance or the family the government would be responsible for consequences.

The PPP’s provincial chief Nawabzada Lashkari Khan Raisani said the conflict was between usurpers and sons of the soil.

He said the message of congratulations by President Pervez Musharraf to the security forces for eliminating Nawab Bugti was shameful.

BNP-A patron–in-chief Moheem Khan Baloch said Nawab Bugti was a martyr as he had fought bravely to protect the rights and resources of the Baloch People.

BNP (Mengal) vice-president Sajid Tareen paid tribute to Nawab Bugti saying that he had laid down his life for the cause of the Baloch. He said the defenders of the Baloch masses would continue their struggle against the oppressors.

Leader of the Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly Kachkol Baloch, Senator Abdul Malik Baloch and MPAs Mir Akbar Mengal and Akhtar Hussain were also present.