HYDERABAD, July 21 Activists of the Awami Tehreek staged a sit-in for six hours on the National Highway at Hatri bypass here on Wednesday in protest against reopening of the Chashma-Jhelum link canal, release of water into Greater Thal canal, proposed construction of Bhasha-Diamar dam and tribal.

A large number of men, women and children, raised slogans against what they called a theft of Indus water.

Speaking on the occasion, chief of the Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo said that Sindh was the creator of Pakistan but it was being pushed against the wall.

He said Sindh was passing through the worst phase of its history and alleged that the government wanted to destroy the province.

The government was following an international conspiracy against the country, Mr Palijo said and added that rulers had always acted against the interests of the country under the dictates of foreign powers.

He expressed solidarity with all the oppressed nations of the world and accused America of imposing its hegemony on the international community.

He warned those elements who were depriving Sindh of its resources and water that they were playing with fire and added that if Sindh was destroyed, Pakistan would also be destroyed.

He severely criticised the role of the elected representatives and appealed to the people of Sindh to prepare for a peaceful, prolonged and consistent struggle for their rights.

AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo said that women and children who blocked the road loved Sindh and were conscious of their rights.

He accused the present and past rulers of trying to destroy Sindh. He was critical of the role of the chief minister and the irrigation minister of Sindh and accused them of duplicity.

He alleged that they stated in media that they would not bargain over the rights of Sindh, but they had agreed to give away 15,000 cusecs of water to the Chashma-Jhelum link canal and also allowed the construction of Thal Canal and Bhasha Dam.

He vowed to continue the struggle for the rights of Sindh and appealed to all the nationalist parties and PML-F to join the struggle.

Syed Mohammad Alam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgari, Abdul Hakeem Zangejo and president of the Sindhiani Tahreek Ms Umrao Samoon also spoke on the occasion.

A declaration was distributed among reporters, narrating the history of 'theft of the Indus water during the last 65 years' and paying tributes to the Sindhis for their struggle for the rights of the province.