June 26, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1428

HYDERABAD, June 25: A strike was observed in various cities of the province on Monday on the call of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz in protest against enforced disappearance of JSQM leaders and workers, budgetary allocations for the Kalabagh dam and government’s failure in containing tribal clashes.

At least 25 JSQM workers were arrested in Larkana, Nawabshah, Tando Allahyar and Khairpur, while two vehicles were burnt in Hyderabad and Tando Allahyar on Sunday night.

LARKANA: A complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike was observed in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot. Transport remained off the roads and trade centres and petrol pumps remained shut in all the towns of the two districts. JSQM workers also took out processions. Police arrested some protesters. A JSQM leader, Athar Soomro, told journalists that more than 10 workers -- including Rashid Sandano, Azhar Soomro, Arshad Abbasi, Kuraro Sindhi, Momin Odho and Bashir Dahani -- had been arrested.

NAWABSHAH: The strike call received a mixed response in Nawabshah. All the main markets remained closed but shops in Manuabad and Essarpura remained open.

There was thin traffic on the roads and the transport to big cities remained suspended till noon. Petrol pumps on Sakrand Road remained closed.

Some incidents of aerial firing were reported in the city. The JSQM claimed that police arrested its 10 activists, including Imdad Mugheri. Police denied the claim. Main markets remained closed in Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed and Doulatpur.

KHAIRPUR: Complete strike was observed in Khairpur city and its adjoining areas as all the main markets and restaurants remained closed.

A large number of people staged a demonstration at Civic Centre Chowk against Khairpur police. They accused police of manhandling two activists, Javed Ujjan and Mohammad Yasin Farooqui, who had been arrested.

They alleged that the activists had been tortured and Mr Ujjan had suffered injuries in his leg, whereas Mr Farooqui was bleeding from his nose and they had been taken to a hospital.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Complete strike was observed in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Kandiaro, Bhirya, Tharushah, Mithiani, Halani, Mehrabpur and Padidan.

THATTA: All the bazaars and business centres remained closed in Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro, Mirpur Sakro, Jhoke Sharif, Chuhar Jamali, Jati, Ghorabari and other towns.

There was thin traffic on link roads but the highways remain deserted for the entire day. In Thatta and Sujawal, JSQM activists put tyres on fire.

Complete strike was also observed in Dadu, Badin Jacobabad.