DACCA: The casualty figures in the devastating cyclone, which ripped through East Pakistan on May 12, [have] now risen to 12,033, Mr Abdul Monem Khan, Governor of East Pakistan, said here tonight [May 19].

Addressing a Press conference after an aerial survey of the affected areas, the Governor said that the number of persons so far missing was 1,334. In the Barisal district alone 10,991 persons were killed and 1,291 were missing. Besides about 22,000 cattle heads were lost in the Barisal district. The Governor said that roughly Rs 8 crores would be needed for relief work in the cyclone battered areas of the province.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Karachi], Mr Talmiz Burney, counsel for Mr Mairaj Mohammad Khan, a student leader, concluded his arguments, when the hearing of the writ petition, filed by Mr Mairaj against his three-month detention under the provisions of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, was resumed before the Division Bench of the West Pakistan High Court, Karachi yesterday.

Challenging the detention of Mr Mairaj Khan under the provisions of the said Act, Mr Burney contended that the action taken by the authorities concerned against his client was “mala fide”. The counsel argued that the grounds furnished to the detenue [were] too vague and indefinite and they did not provide any opportunity to make any adequate representation.

Mr Mairaj was arrested by the Karachi Police in connection with the students’ strike, which took place in December last. The Police registered four cases against Mr Mairaj for the alleged attempt to murder, dacoity, forming an unlawful assembly etc.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play