KHAIRPUR, Feb 20: Thari Mirwah observed shutter-down strike as Pakistan People’s Party activists, supporters and villagers staged a demonstration in the town on Wednesday in protest against alleged rigging in NA-216 and PS-31 constituencies on Feb 18.

Sajid Bhambhan, PPP candidate who lost contest for NA-216, told journalists during the demonstration that armed persons held his polling agents, Habibur Rehman Shar, Mohammad Sachal Shar, Hashmat Shar, Baqar Shar and Mehboob Veesar, hostage in Nara taluka of Thar for three days when they reached there on Feb 17 to act as his agents.

They were freed on Feb 19 after being deprived of authority letters designating them as polling agents, national identity cards and cell phones, he alleged.

He said that their captors kept them tied with ropes and subjected them to severe torture. Massive rigging had been committed in Nara taluka where results showed higher turnout, which was almost impossible in a desert area, he claimed.

Mr Bhambhan, with a large number of protesting party workers and supporters gathered outside the court housed in the Monotechnic College when the returning officer for NA-216 and PS-31 was to consolidate results for the constituencies.

When the officer left the building for Khairpur, the protesters followed his vehicle and forced him to seek refuge in the Government High School Usman Rind.

DPO Fida Hussain Mastoi, with a heavy contingent of police arrived at the school followed by Rangers when he learnt about the situation. Police then sent the officer in their protection to DRO’s office in Khairpur.

Mr Bhambhan and former district nazim Nafisa Shah later held a meeting with DRO at his office in the presence of returning officer for NA-216 and PS-31 and informed them of their grievances.