SUKKUR, Feb 27: Police baton-charged Sindh National Party activists who took out a protest procession here on Sunday against the Kalabagh dam and the greater Thal canal, injuring a number of protesters.

The procession, led by SNP secretary-general Dilshad Bhutto, started from the Clock Tower and wanted to proceed towards the local press club but a heavy contingent of police reached at the scene and asked the protesters to disperse. When the activists refused to disperse, they were baton-charged.

Two critically injured activists, Mir Ali and Lal Bux Bhambhro, were taken to the Sukkur Civil Hospital. Police also picked up at least 40 protesters, Dilshad Bhutto. Later, workers of the SNP, led by its president Ameer Bhambhro, surrounded the B-section police station and demanded release of the activists. After negotiations between SNP leaders and police authorities, the activists were released.

No case was registered against any person. Party activists from rural areas of Sukkur, Rohri, Salehpat, Kandhra and Bachal Shah Miani again assembled at the Clock Tower and the gathering adopted several resolutions. They demanded provincial autonomy according to the 1940 Resolution and the National Finance Commission award on the basis of resources, instead of population.

They also demanded shelving of Kalabagh dam and Thal canal projects. They said water and power management should be handed over to the provinces and the 'corrupt' Sindh government be removed. The gathering called for empowering the senate to resolve disputes between the provinces. The party stressed the need for taking efforts to resolve to tribal feuds.

EMBEZZLEMENT: The Jacobabad anti-corruption police on Saturday raided offices of food and education departments and unearthed embezzlement of millions of rupees. An anti-corruption official raided the food department office and seized the record.