HYDERABAD, June 23: Activists of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) held a demonstration outside the press club here on Saturday in protest against killing of five workers in Guddu Thermal Power House on Friday.

JSQM leader Masroor Thebo said four of the five victims, Ajmal Mazari, Murtaza Mari, Shakeel Mazari and Arsalah Mazari, were activists of the JSQM.

He alleged that they had been gunned down at the behest of former nazim of Kashmor taluka Abdul Rauf Khoso and his brother Abdul Baqi Khoso, who has the contract of security arrangements at the power plant.

He demanded arrests of them and award of exemplary punishment to them.

Reports say the workers were killed during firing by security guards. The incident occurred when workers were staging a sit-in outside the powerhouse against the death of a worker, Ghulam Mohammad, who had died during installation of one more unit in the powerhouse. Heirs of the deceased claimed that he had been poisoned to death.

Workers held Quran Khawani for the departed soul and staged a sit-in at the power house. Security in charge and former taluka nazim Abdul Rau Khoso arrived there to talk to them. The two sides traded hot words and clothes of Rauf Khoso were torn. Stone pelting was also reported.

He left for his office and later his brother Abdul Baqi Khoso, along with some gunmen arrived there. Gunmen resorted to firing, killing five workers and injuring 14 others. They were admitted to the Wapda hospital and in a Rahim Yar Khan hospital.

JSQM leader Sattar Mazari, brother of deceased Ajmal Mazari, alleged in Guddu that gunmen had fired at workers on the direction of Rauf Khoso.

The killings caused tension and Kashmor city remained closed last night. People remained indoors.

The Guddu police have registered a case against 39 people, including Rauf Khoso and his brothers Abdul Baqi Khoso and Wahid Khoso on the complaint of Hazratullah Mari, relative of a deceased.