HYDERABAD, Feb 19: The Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party has criticised the Tando Mohammad Khan police for ‘launching an unannounced operation against the party leaders and activists’ and demanded immediate removal of the SHO and the writer head constable.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Thursday, STP leaders Hyder Shahani, Muzaffar Kalhoro and Ahmed Noonari said that entire Sindh had been converted into a police state and police atrocities against STP activists in Tando Mohammad Khan had crossed limits.

The word “law” had become a misnomer in Tando Mohammad Khan where human rights violations had become order of the day, Dr Shahani said. He said that on Dec 17, 2008, an unannounced operation was launched against STP workers, which was still continuing.

He said that Dr Ahmed Noonari, Basheer Ahmed Noonari, Aijaz Noonari, Raza Mohammad Khaskheli and Iqbal Hajano and other STP leaders and workers were implicated in seven false cases and their houses were raided, 24 activists were arrested and challaned in an anti-terrorism court.

He said although the cases were later withdrawn but the victimisation of party workers had not been stopped.

He said that a few days ago a false police encounter case was registered against the district vice-president of the party, Raza Mohammad Khaskheli, and treasurer Iqbal Hajano on the complaint of Tando Mohammad Khan SHO Munawwar Sario.

He alleged that on Feb 16, the SHO along with writer head constable Niaz Shah barged into the house of Khaskheli, opened fired and injured him. It indicated that the SHO was determined to eliminate STP leaders in fake police encounters, he alleged.

He said that instead of getting the SHO arrested, the DPO had constituted an investigation committee, headed by SP investigation. He expressed no confidence in the committee and demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident and dismissal of the SHO and the WHC.

He warned that if the demands were not accepted, the party would launch a protest drive throughout Sindh.

EDUCATION: Teachers are asked to polish their students in a way that they could carry out national responsibilities with success, said Managing Director, Bahria Foundation Vice Admiral (Rtd) Saleem Khalid.

He said this during the fourth annual-day function of Bahria Foundation College, Hyderabad at Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium Sindh Museum on Thursday.

He said that the education was a panacea for socio-economic ills which lays responsibilities on teachers and educational institutions to produce talented manpower. He said that Sindh was the land of Sufis who preached love, affection and unity.