HYDERABAD: A partial strike was observed in the interior of Sindh on Thursday in response to a call given by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to protest targeted and ‘extrajudicial’ killing of a large number of its workers over the past few weeks.

In Hyderabad, three of the four talukas remained shut as no main bazaar, shopping mall, fuel station and shop opened in the morning. Vehicular traffic on roads also remained thin. Groups of youths in some localities burnt used tyres to vent their anger.

Life in Qasimabad taluka, however, remained unaffected by the strike call as bazaars, markets and shops opened as usual in the morning though traffic on roads was thin.

A strike was also observed in Tando Allahyar, Kotri and Jamshoro. People of Matiari and Tando Mohammad Khan by and large ignored the strike call.

SUKKUR: The MQM call for a Sindh-wide strike drew negligible response from people of Sukkur as only a few bazaars, markets and shops were closed in the city.

Attendance in government and private offices also remained normal.

Some protesters tried to force shopkeepers in the Shalimar area on Minara Road to pull down the shutters which led to heated arguments between the two sides. However, no untoward incident took place.

MIRPURKHAS: A complete shutterdown was observed across Mirpurkhas city and MQM activists wore black armbands to mourn the death of their party colleagues in recent incidents of targeted and ‘extrajudicial’ killing.

Quran Khawani and Fateha Khawani were also held at different places. A group of youths assembled at the main roundabouts and traffic intersections in the city and burnt tyres to protest the killings.

Movement of traffic on routes leading to Hyderabad, Sanghar, Khipro, Umerkot, Mithi and other cities remained thin.

A shutdown was also observed at Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammed, Jhuddo, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Mohammed, Jhilori, Khaan, Sindhri, Hingorno and Phuladyoon.

NAWABSHAH: A total closure was witnessed in Nawabshah city in response to the MQM call for a day of mourning and wheel-jam on Thursday.

All main markets, baazars and malls remained closed till the call was withdrawn at 4pm.

Attendance in government schools and offices, as well as vehicular traffic on roads, remained thin.

SHIKARPUR: A partial strike was observed on Thursday in this city on an MQM appeal.

Groups of MQM activists wearing black armbands held gatherings at several places and raised slogans against the killing of their party fellows in Karachi and some other parts of the country.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2015

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