Leaders of nationalists’ parties stage a sit-in protest against Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance 2012 in Hyderabad on Monday. – Photo by Online

NAWABSHAH: A man died and seven others included a child injured in Nawabshah when police opened aerial fire to disperse an unruly mob protesting against Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) on Monday.

The city remained totally shut on the call of strike against the bill, which was passed by the Sindh Assembly earlier today.

A large number of political activists and citizens took to streets. They blocked the Nawabshah-Sakrand Road and chanted slogans against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).

Police fired teargas shells to disperse them and in return the protestors pelted the security forces with stones.

Later, the police opened aerial firing and resultantly a worker of Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz (JSQM) 18-year-old Khadim Khaskheli died on the spot while seven others including a nine-year-old Javed Illahi injured.

Protestors then attacked the police and rangers with stones and forced them to retreat. They also set on fire the Airport police station.

Situation remained tense on the time of filing this report. Deputy Commissioner Nawabshah Rasheed Ahmed Zardari when contacted on telephone said the strike was peaceful but some anti-social elements opened fire on police.

He confirmed the casualty and injured and said an inquiry will be held into to the matter.

On the other hand, JSQM central vice chairman Dr Niaz Kalani, when contacted, said the police had opened fire and killed their activist, injuring seven other workers. He said the party will hold ‘peaceful protest demos’ in whole province against the killing on October 3.

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