HYDERABAD/LARKANA, Sept 7: Activists of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (PONM) in Hyderabad and Larkana protested against what they terned assassination of veteran Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his associates in a military operation.

In Hyderabad, a large number of PONM activists staged a demonstration in front of the local press club.

Speaking on the occasion, PONM leaders Hote Khan Gadhi, Mansoor Khaskheli, Muzaffar Kalhoro and Dodo Deshi said the oppressed nations would continue their struggle for their rights. Bugti’s assassination had infused a new spirit in the people of smaller provinces, they said.

They demanded an end to army operation in Balochistan, saying that the action would have disastrous consequences on the country.

The rulers had learnt no lesson from the 1971 tragedy, the leaders said and expressed solidarity with the Baloch.

In Larkana, a large number of protesters took out a procession organised by the PONM.

Carrying banners and placards they marched on the main roads of Larkana and staged a sit-in at Pakistan chowk.

Speaking to protesters, Gulzar Soomro, Ahmed Nawaz Brohi, Mumtaz Shaikh, Manzoor Kalhoro and Muzaffar Sahito said Bugti’s murder was a move to suppress PONM.

The rulers must understand that instead of suppressing the movement, the action would strengthen it, they said.

They criticised the government for not handing over the body of Nawab Akber Khan Bugti to the family.

The speakers said movements could not be suppressed with power and announced to continue their struggle.

Later, they demonstrated outside Jinnahbagh and later dispersed.

Leaders of component parties of PONM also took out processions in Qambar and Shahdadkot and condemned the government’s action of killing Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his associates.

Sukkur: Activists of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party took out a procession and staged a demonstration in front of the Sukkur Press Club on Thursday in protest against the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Led by Nazir Soomro and Muqeem Khoso, they took to streets from the Municipal Chowk and shouting slogans against the government reached the press club to stage a demonstration. They were carrying placards and banners.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders strongly condemned the brutal murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti and described his killing as the murder of oppressed nation.

They demanded immediate arrest of the responsible people.