April 12, 2008	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1429

QUETTA, April 11: A complete strike was observed in several large and small towns of the province on Friday on a call given by the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) in protest against military operation, detention of Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other nationalist leaders and disappearance of political activists.The strike call, however, received a partial response in the provincial capital.

According to police, about 30 people were arrested in Sariab area of Quetta for pelting vehicles with stones.

The strike affected normal functioning in government offices and educational institutions.

BNP-M secretary-general Habib Jalib Baloch accused police of baton-charging party activists causing injuries to seven people.

He claimed that 63 workers had been arrested.

He said that a complete strike was observed in Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Hub, Gwadar, Panjgur, Turbat, Kharan, Nushki, Dalbandin, Mach, Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allahyar.

He said that police action would not deter the heroic Baloch people from continuing their struggle against state terrorism.

He said that the strike was aimed at highlighting the action taken against the Baloch people during the military operation and detention and forced disappearance of thousands of innocent people.

He said that the use of force by police proved that the government wanted to continue the Musharraf government’s policy of suppressing the Baloch.