GWADAR: Two demonstrators were injured in a clash with the officials of the local administration during a protest and strike observed against illegal fishing, electricity loadshedding and shortage of drinking water in the coastal district of Gwadar on Tuesday.

The strike was called by the National Party.

Workers of different political parties and people from civil society blocked the roads and streets of Gwadar and suspended all kinds of traffic. All shops, markets and shopping centres remained closed throughout the day.

The protesters marched on the roads of the coastal town and chanted slogans against the administration.

The local administration headed by the assistant commissioner of Gwadar tried to remove hurdles and barricades to open the roads for traffic. But the protesting workers resisted the move and had a heated argument with the administration which led to clashes.

“Two people suffered injuries in the clashes. The injured were admitted to a hospital,” said Hussain Ashraf, a senior leader of the National Party.

He said the assistant commissioner’s attitude was not good because instead of holding talks with senior political leaders to resolve the issue he misbehaved with them.

Mr Ashraf said several people had been arrested.

Later, Deputy Commissioner of Gwadar Abdul Kabir Zarkoon said in a statement that those who would take the law into their hands would face the music. “Nobody would be allowed to take law into their hand,” he said.

Meanwhile, women and children also staged rallies in Jewani against outages and water shortage.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2021