July 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 5, 1429

HYDERABAD, July 8: The industrialists of Hyderabad and Kotri threatened to go on indefinite strike from July 11, if the government did not take back proposed increase in gas tariff by July 10.

A press release issued by the Kotri Association of Trade and Industry said that a joint meeting of Hyderabad and Kotri Sites took the decision and observed that the increase in tariff was tantamount to destroying the industries, which had already pushed to a precipice due to high cost of production.

The situation had forced the industrial units, especially textile units of Hyderabad and Kotri industrial areas, to cease production as it would not only be difficult but impossible to keep them functional, the meeting said.

If the proposed increase in tariff was not withdrawn by July 10, the industrial units in Kotri and Site area would be forced to go on indefinite strike as had been announced by Faisalabad, Karachi and APTMA.

WOMAN KILLED: A woman, mother of two children, was strangulated to death in Aliabad area of Tandojam on Tuesday and her relatives fled their house after the murder.

Sources said that Rahat, wife of Mohammad Murad Umrani, had shifted to Aliabad from Larkana 15 days ago and was living with her brother-in-law, Mohammad Saleh. Her husband Mohammad Murad Umrani has been languishing in Central Jail Hyderabad in a narcotic case.

Mohammad Saleh, his wife Subhan, two children of the deceased woman and a close relative Sawan Umrani had disappeared after putting locks on their houses following the murder, the sources said.

Police arrested Mohammad Rais, 15, son of Saleh Umrani, who told journalists that he was arrested after he arrived there from Hyderabad. He insisted he did not know anything about the murder.

Police were reported to have informed the brothers of the deceased woman about the murder and an FIR would be filed on their arrival.

The body was moved to Civil Hospital Hyderabad which would be kept in mortuary till the heirs arrived.