JSMM strike against 'extrajudicial killings' gets lukewarm response

SUKKUR/HYDERABAD:

Wednesday's strike call by the nationalist party Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) received a lukewarm response in upper Sindh.

The shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was observed in a few cities and towns where the party has a strong presence. In other cities, business continued as usual. JSMM leadership gave the strike call after the alleged 'extrajudicial killings' of nationalist workers and leaders, including Zakir Bozdar, Maqsood Qureshi, Salman Wadhiyo and others. They also condemned the 'forcible occupation' of Sindh's resources.

On Tuesday evening, the province saw several cracker attacks in various cities, including Dadu, Shahdadkot, Naushero Feroz and others, that are being linked to the JSMM strike.

Meanwhile, police conducted overnight raids in Thull and Jacobabad, and arrested JSMM's Jacobabad president Zahid Buriro.

In lower Sindh, a few cracker attacks and police raids marked the JSMM strike against the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance and the alleged action of the law enforcement agencies against its workers. According to a police spokesperson, Mazhar Shani, over two dozen suspects involved in violence, cracker attacks and forcible closure of markets were arrested in Hyderabad region.

A cracker was hurled near Sarhari Railway Station in Benazirabad, minutes after the Peshawar-bound Awami Express passed. Another cracker attack was carried out on Jamshoro Bypass. Police arrested two suspects while they were forcing shops to close in Daur town. Another 18 men were also arrested from Qasimabad and Hussainabad areas of Hyderabad district.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2014.