February 23, 2008	Saturday	Safar 15, 1429

THATTA, Feb 22: Strike was observed across Thatta district and two towns of Umerkot districts in protest against the killing of two Pakistan People’s Party activists.

PPP’s call for strike to protest the killing of a party activist Ayaz Khudai, registration of FIRs against party leaders Ghulam Qadir Malkani, Dr Shams Shoro and others and rigging on three constituencies was positively responded throughout the district here on Friday.

Al main bazaars, markets as all major trade centres remained closed in Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro, Chuhar Jamali, Jati, Gharo, Mirpur Sakro and other towns throughout the day.

In Mirpur Bathoro, a big procession was taken out. The protesters marched through the main bazaar, raising slogans against massive rigging, registration of fictitious FIRs and killing of an activist by Shirazi group supporters.

In Thatta also, a big procession was taken out which later converged outside press club. The participants while raising slogans against Shirazi group demanded a neutral administrative set-up in the district.

Our Mirpurkhas correspondent adds: A complete strike was observed in Kunri and Bustan towns of Umerkot districts on Friday to protest against the killing of a Pakistan People’s Party worker, Khadim Marwari.

PPP workers also took out a rally in Kunri and marched on main roads while raising slogans of Jeay Bhutto. They also burnt old tyres at different roads. Heavy contingents of police were deployed to avert any untoward incident.

On Thursday night, PPP worker Khadim Marwari was shot at and injured and was taken to taluka hospital Kunri where he died after some time.

The relatives of deceased and PPP workers staged demonstration outside the Kunri press club and blocked the main road as result of which traffic remained suspended. They were demanding lodging of FIR and arrest of the accused.

The deceased was father of four. His heirs told journalist that Khadim Marwari had raised slogans of Jeay Bhutto on polling day on which rivals exchanged hot words with him.

Police have arrested the nominated accused Ibrahim.