HYDERABAD, Nov 16: A group of residents observed a token hunger strike in Qasimabad here on Tuesday to pressurize the authorities to resolve basic problems of the area.

Led by union council nazims Khurram Laghari and Ali Nawaz Kutriyo and councillors Ghulam Nabi Khoso and Huzoor Bano, they were demanding early release of funds for the president's Hyderabad development package and Sindh governor's package.

They further demanded that the number of union councils in Qasimabad be increased from four to 10, the Katchi Abadis and ancient villages of the taluka regularised and the residents given proprietary rights.

They said that the taluka hospital of Qasimabad should be given full budget.

They said that if the funds for both the packages were not released, they would continue protest.

POLICE: A group of residents of the Kotri SITE area under the banner of the Action Committee held a demonstration and observed hunger strike outside the local press club to protest against Kotri ADPO Mazhar Shaikh and SHO Farooq Laghari.

The protesters were demanding immediate release of some people arrested on the Eid day and action against the police.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders of the Kotri SITE Area Action Committee, including Shabbir Magsi and Inayat Almani, accused the police of firing on the faithful who had gone to offer Eid prayers.

They said that police had arrested several persons including Akbar Memon, Imdad Panhwar, Haji Idris Janwari and Parial Kabooro.

They said that the police had done so at the behest of some land grabbers.

They demanded immediate release of the arrested persons and legal action against the police officers.

Meanwhile, former employees of the defunct Sindh Road Transport Corporation and Zeal Pak Cement Factory continued their token hunger strike outside the press club.

They are protesting against non-payment of their dues.