August 29, 2006	Tuesday	Sha'aban 4, 1427

KARACHI, Aug 28: An effective strike was observed in all Baloch-dominated localities of the metropolis where violent protests were held against the killing of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti during an army operation in Balochistan on Saturday night.

The law and order situation as compared to the Sunday’s disturbances deteriorated further on Monday, as seven people including two policemen were shot at and wounded while a number of vehicles and an office of a town nazim were set ablaze by agitators in different parts of the city.

The worst-troubled town was Lyari, the Baloch populated area, where protesters played hide-and-seek with law enforcers throughout the day. Shopkeepers pulled down their shutters in all business centers and markets including Lea Market, Kajoor Bazaar, Khori Garden, Chemical Market, Timber and Steel markets, Khadda market and Jatpat Market.

The main thoroughfares in the locality including Shah Latif Bhittai Road, Shah Waliullah Road, Tannery Road, Chakiwara Road, Juna Kumarwara Road, and Sheedi Village Road wore a deserted look as unidentified youths set barricades on these roads to suspend the traffic flow.

DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah said: “The problematic area was Lyari. Besides, some law and order situation was created in a few other localities. However, the overall law and order situation remained under control,” he claimed. Mr Shah said that 35 people were picked up from various areas for their involvement in creating law and order and inflicting losses to public and private property.

Trouble in various localities affected the movement of public transport, and as such 50 per cent transporters kept their vehicles off road, said Irshad Bokhari, the chief of a major transport organisation.

Intercity bus service from Karachi to Quetta and other cities of Balochistan remained suspended on Monday as well.

In SITE, the protesters attacked the town nazim office, ransacked its furniture, and set it on fire. Later, they set the office building on fire. Police tried to disperse the unruly mob and lobbed teargas shells but the protesters opened fire at the police.

As a result, two policemen identified as ASI Jamil and constable Akram received bullet wounds. They were taken to a hospital and later Jamil was shifted to Liaquat National Hospital, where his condition is stated to be serious.

In Landhi, some armed men forced labourers to stay away from their workplaces in Sukkan police limits. Some workers who attempted to cross the hurdles were fired upon. As a result, six of them identified as Ghulam Qadir, Anwarul Haq, Saboor Khan, Ali Shah, Arif Bashir and Shehbaz were wounded.

A car was set on fire opposite Aladin Park, where a group of protesters staged protest and shouted slogans against military operation in Balochistan. Due to the protest, Rashid Minhas Road remained closed for hours.

Another car was set ablaze near Dalmia, Baloch-dominated locality. Police hurled teargas shells at both the places to disperse the angry protesters and brought the situation under control.Some youth pelted the vehicles with stones on the University Road near Safoora Goth. Tyres were burnt and hurdles were created to block the thoroughfare. Reports of violent protests were also received from Memon Goth, Patel Para, Old Golimar, Pak Colony, Malir, Mauripur, and Muwach Goth. Youths were also seen marching on Shah Latif Bhittai Road, Aat Chowk, Chakiwara Road, Miran Nanka and some other places raising slogans against the Musharraf’s government and army action.

Except a few private vehicles, public transport on the RCD Highway was not visible as the upcountry buses and coaches remained off the road.

All tea houses across the city, mostly owned by Baloch people, remained closed voluntarily to show solidarity with their Baloch nation and express anger over the killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Condemning the murder of Nawab Bugti, Karachi-based Baloch Rights Council stated that his killers would always repent the criminal act they had committed and this would not prevent the Baloch people from their struggle for national rights.

A senior community leader said: “Bugti is a martyr as he sacrificed his life for the rights of Baloch people and he has proved that he is a true Baloch, who honours his words.”

He said that Nawab Bugti would always be remembered as a legendary figure in the history of Balochistan and nobody could deny that his death imbibe a new spirit of nationalism into Baloch people.

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