KHAIRPUR, July 14: On the call of the Shia Rabita Council and the Jafria Alliance, a complete strike was observed here on Sunday to mourn the Quetta tragedy.

The business centres, including fruit and vegetables markets, hotels, meat markets and shopping centres, remained closed.

Several processions, taken out from different parts of the district, merged into one procession at the Imambargah Anjuman Hyderi, Khairpur.

The combined procession passed through Kutchehry Road, Mall Road, Civic Centre, Chhatti Chowk and turned into a rally at Panj Gulla Chowk.

Speaking on the occasion, Major Ali Abbas (retd) said that the Quetta tragedy occurred due to irresponsible attitude of the government and the agencies.

Syed Sarkar Hussain Shah said that eversince the rule of Gen Zia-ul-Haq, none of the killers of the innocent people had been punished.

Maulana Mazhar said that the alleged killers of Daniel Pearl and the French nationals were arrested but the killers of the members of a particular community could not be arrested.

Maulana Riaz Hussain said that such indents were not terrorism but target killings.

FLOOD: A rain drain coming from the hilly area of the Nara taluka inundated cotton, rice, banana and vegetable crops over 200 acres of land in the Kot Diji area on Sunday.

The Bhanbhra, Burdi, Bhatti, Khaskheli and Aachar Solangi villages were also affected.

Later, a large number of the affected villagers, led by People’s Party Parliamentarian activist Basheer Mallah, held a protest demonstration in Kot Diji.

Mr Mallah told journalists that no government official had visited the area after the incident.