HYDERABAD: Several towns in upper Sindh remained closed while a partial shutterdown was observed in many towns of lower Sindh areas on Saturday in response to a call given by the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) to mark the first death anniversary of its two key leaders, Maqsood Qureshi and Salman Wadho.

The charred remains of Mr Qureshi, the brother of JSQM founder leader Bashir Qureshi, and Mr Wadho, a close aide to the two brothers, were found in a burnt-out car parked along Bhirya City Road in Naushahro Feroze district on March 21 last year. The party alleges that the incident was the handiwork of law enforcement agencies.

JSQM leadership in Hyderabad said that although the party had originally given a call for a province-wide strike for Saturday, it was restricted to a half-day token strike in view of the Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) plan to observe the Motherland Day the same day.

Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar and Matiari districts remained shut throughout the day while a shutterdown till 1pm was observed in parts of Hyderabad district including Qasimabad. Hyderabad, Latifabad and City talukas remained unaffected by the strike call.

A few protest rallies and sit-ins were held by JSQM activists in different parts of Hyderabad district and there were reports of some of them being arrested.

MIRPURKHAS: All cities, towns and rural areas of Mirpurkhas district remained unaffected by the strike call as business, commercial and educational activities across the district remained normal. No disruption in the flow of internal and intercity traffic was reported from any part of the district.

SUKKUR: Jacobabad, Thull, Tangwani, Mirpur Mathelo and Ghotki towns in upper Sindh remained shut from dawn to dusk in response to the JSQM call while a partial strike was observed in Kandhkot.

JSQM activists took out several rallies and demanded arrest of all those behind the alleged killing of JSQM leaders. Speaking to the protesters, party leaders and activists also condemned the provincial government and police for not making serious efforts to arrest the killers of party chief Bashir Qureshi and a number of activists found killed during their struggle for the independence of Sindh.

KHAIRPUR: The strike call received a positive response from the people of Khairpur district, where a crippling shutterdown was observed in Khairpur, Gambat, Ranipur Piryaloi, Pir Jo Goth, Pakka Chang, Akri, Kot Lalu, Setharja, Thari Mirwah and several other towns, besides Khairpur city.

At some places, JSQM activists roamed in the streets to enforce the strike in the morning and an unspecified number of them were picked up by police and Rangers personnel.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Most cities and towns in Naushahro Feroze district remained closed on Saturday in response to the JSQM call for a strike.

Routine life and vehicular traffic in Naushahro Feroze city, Moro, New Jatoi, Mithiani, Phul, Padidan, Lakha Road, Bhirya Road, Bhirya City, Khan Wahan, Halani, Kotri Kabir and Mahrabpur were badly affected by the closure and protest rallies and demonstrations held by JSQM activists and supporters.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2015

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