MITHI, Feb 28: The long march, started from Islamkot on Monday to protest against denial of jobs to Thari youths in coal projects and to seek royalty of coal for Tharparkar district, continued on Tuesday as the participants proceeded to Mithi after an overnight stay in Barach village.

Activists of different political parties, representatives of NGOs and concerned citizens -- including former nazims of local bodies, lawyers and writers -- are taking part in the 50-km march.Prominent among them are Arbab Ahsan of Megh Literary and Social Forum, the organiser of the march, Dilawar Malkani, former taluka nazim of Chhachhro, Ghansham Das Lohano, former nazim of Islamkot union council, and noted poet Jumman Darbadar.

More than 150 supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League (like-minded) from different villages of Chhachhro taluka joined the march near Mithrio Bhati village.

The participants of the march were accorded warm welcome by villagers at several places. Scores of Thakurs, attired in traditional Thari dresses welcomed the caravan at a reception camp where youths presented traditional Thari dance on drum beat.

The marchers would stay in Malanhore Veena village on Tuesday night and continue their journey on Wednesday to Mithi where they will stage a sit-in at Kashmir Chowk.

Policemen are accompanying the marchers for security purpose. The march has not created any hindrance in the flow of vehicular traffic as it has spared half of Islamkot-Mithi road for vehicles.