Massive arrests amid clashes with police
HYDERABAD, Nov 14: More than 300 activists of Pakistan People’s Party, including two MNAs and two MPAs, were arrested in different parts of Sindh on Wednesday after skirmishes with police when they staged demonstrations and rallies in protest against house arrest of Benazir Bhutto, imposition of emergency and large-scale arrests of party leaders and activists.
The 300, who include more than 50 women activists, have been booked for violation of section 144 CrPC.
More than 100 workers including 18 women were arrested in Khairpur, 50 including an MNA and an MPA in Hyderabad, 50 in Thatta, 30 in Tando Mohammad Khan, 15 in Jacobabad, 16 in Kandhkot, 50 including an MNA and an MPA in Larkana, 20 women activists were booked in Nawabshah and seven were arrested in Naudero.
In Sanghar police angered protesters when they fired in the air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse them leading to a clash, which left the SHO among others injured. Police arrested an unspecified number of activists including former minister Abdul Salam Thaheem.
Complete strike was observed in some towns of Nawabshah and Tando Mohammad Khan districts where the protesters blocked roads by burning tyres.
In Hyderabad, Cantonment police arrested 41 activists after they arrived at Hyderabad press club to register their protest and booked them for violation of section 144. The arrested activists include MPA Pir Amjad Shah Jillani, MNA Ameer Ali Shah Jamote and Usman Kennedy.
The protesters burnt tyres in Unit No.4 of Latifabad and courted arrest after raising slogans outside a police station in Hussainabad. They staged a sit-in in the police station.
Meanwhile, police arrested five activists of Awami Tehrik when they came out of civil courts building raising slogans against the imposition of emergency and held an office-bearer of Jamaat-i-Islami.
In Khairpur, police held more than 100 activists, including 18 women, when they were returning after participating in processions in Khairpur city and Pakka Chang town.
Police also arrested a journalist Himmat Ali Memon but released about an hour afterwards.
Traffic at Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed and at Doulatpur bypass on the National Highway came to a halt when angry PPP activists blocked the highway by holding demonstrations and burning tyres while complete shutter-down strike was observed in Jam Saheb and Buchheri towns in Nawabshah district. Police used batons against protesters.
Demonstrations were also held in Daur, Buchheri and several other towns of the district. The activists announced complete shutter-down strike for Thursday.
In Larkana, more than 50 activists including MNA Khalid Iqbal Memon and MPA Ghulam Mujadid Isran were arrested when they refused to disperse after police lobbed tear gas shells and used batons against a procession near DPO House and Chandka Bridge.
As the procession led by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly, MNAs Anwar Bhutto, Ramesh Lal, Shahid Bhutto, Khalid Iqbal Memon and MPA Ghulam Mujdid Isran neared the DPO House police tried to stop them.
The protesters were infuriated when a TPO asked Nisar Khuhro to accompany him. They ran helter skelter after police rained them with tear gas shells but heavy contingent of police arrested 16 of them.
Police arrested 32 other workers when they held processions in Waleed village and Mirokhan.
The court, meanwhile, granted bail to 17 PPP activists for Rs10,000 each surety and they were released.
Lawyers in Larkana continued their boycott of courts and observed one-hour token hunger strike inside the court premises after holding general body meeting.
The meeting condemned the arrest of MNA Khalid Iqbal Memon who was also president of the High Court Bar Association Larkana. In Qambar town activists staged a procession, which emerged from the party office and assembled in front of the press club. Police tried to catch hold of protesters but failed to arrest any worker.
In Naduero police picked up seven protesters after they staged a procession and a sit-in on the Larkana-Sukkur Road but the judicial magistrate granted them bail and they were later released.
Meanwhile, three more workers of Awami Tehrik held demonstration at the gate of Jinnahbagh and courted arrest. They were sent to jail for 90 days under Maintenance of Public Order.
In Thatta, police arrested general secretary of the Thatta chapter of PPP, Pir Rehmani and 21 other activists for staging a procession in violation of section 144. About 30 PPP activists were held in Gharo.
Police in Sanghar fired in the air and lobbed tear gas shells on protesters to disperse them in Shahdadpur town of the district. An SHO and an activist suffered injuries in the ensuing clash. Police arrested several activists after the clash.
Partial strike was observed in Tando Adam amid heavy police deployment. Lawyers observed two-hour boycott of courts.
Fifteen PPP workers were arrested in Jacobabad after they staged demonstrations in different areas of the city. Police booked them under section 148, 147, 341, 188, 162 PPC and refused to disclose their names.
Police held 16 workers in Kandhkot when brought out a procession which started from the residence of Dr Fida Hussain Mirani and terminated at the press club.
In Mirpurkhas, eight protesters were injured when police used batons against hundreds of PPP workers and activists who staged a demonstration at Phuladiyoon Chowk and blocked Mirpurkhas-Phuladiyoon road by putting up hurdles.
A PPP spokesman claimed that eight workers and office-bearers were injured when police used batons to disperse protesters.
Dozens of women activists including MPA Shamim Ara Panhwar staged a demonstration at Market Chowk. Some activists blocked Mirpurkhas-Mirwah Gorchani road at Makhan Samoon village. They raised slogans against the government and demanded immediate release of Benazir Bhutto. Later, they dispersed peacefully.
Hundreds of people in Walkart area, including women, staged a demonstration when police forced the shopkeepers to open their shops, which they had shut down since morning in protest against emergency and house arrest of Benazir Bhutto.
Five more Awami Tehrik workers courted arrest and police lodged a case for violation of section 144 against Khushhal Das, Arbab Nohani, Ghulam Rasool Nohani, Ali Mohammad Dahri and Mohammad Iqbal Khoso.
The court, meanwhile, ranted bail to nine arrested PPP activists. Members of Mirpurkhas DBA boycotted courts for an hour and wore black armbands. Lawyers in Umerkot also boycotted courts for an hour.
In Dadu, a large number of PPP activists brought out rallies in Mehar and Sehwan. Led by Faiz Ahmed Butt the rally started from Ghanta Ghar and terminated at the press club.
In Sehwan, PPP activists staged a rally, which began from the shrine of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz and ended at the press club. Heavy contingents of police were deployed outside the press clubs in Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi, Mehar and Dadu.
PPP activists protested in many towns of Badin district including Talhar, Matli and Golarchi. Police in Badin town dragged Dr Khalida Mandhro and Sakina Turk into mobiles after more than 50 women activists who staged a rally refused their order to disperse.
But the protesters soon compelled police to release their leaders. They then staged a sit-in on the Shah Latif Road.
A large number of PPP activists staged a demonstration in Dando town of Tando Mohammad Khan and blocked Badin road for some time burning tyres as the town observed complete strike.
More than 150 activists staged a rally in Naushahro Feroze demanding that the government should lift emergency and release Benazir Bhutto and other arrested leaders, workers, lawyers and journalists.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/15/2007
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