Week-long protest for ‘mangrove martyrs’

The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) on Saturday announced a province-wide, week-long protest (May 10 to 17) to mourn the deaths of its leaders Abdul Ghani and Haji Abu Bakar, who were killed ‘in their struggle against mangrove deforestation.’
PFF Chairman Mohammed Ali Shah announced the protest mourning on the death of nature conservationists at the PFF governing body’s meeting on Saturday held in the PFF Secretariat at Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim Town.
The participants of the meeting expressed grave concern over the irresponsive attitude of the provincial government authorities alleging that they seem reluctant in arresting the murderers of the PFF leaders.
Condemning a section of the press that had reported that the PFF activists were killed cross firing between two rival groups, the participants stated that the deceased PFF activists were struggling for a long time against the deforestation of mangroves in the coastal areas, particularly Kakapir village, and had been receiving serious threats.
“Despite tall claims of the government, authorities have not been able to arrest the killers. We are not satisfied with the government’s assurances because we believe the police support the criminals and provided them a safe passage after the incident,” said PFF Chairman Shah, adding that the people, struggling for the protection of mangroves, are terrified after the incident
The PFF governing body meeting also decided that on May 17, fisherfolk from all over the province will gather in Karachi to show their strength and demand the government to arrest the killers without any further delays, and ensure the protection of other activists, as the outlaws are still at large.
Paying rich tributes to their brave leaders, the PFF resolved that the struggle will continue despite threats from the outlaws.
At the meeting, the PFF leaders also said that criminals had destroyed the organisation’s office with hand grenade to create uncertainty and fear among the activists, but they will remain at the forefront with the local communities in their struggle.
On the occasion, community leaders, hailing from different fresh water bodies, assured the PFF leadership that they were ready to offer any sacrifices for the cause, adding that the fishermen will not leave the coastal community people alone in the campaign and will be with them at every difficult situation.
Directives were issued at the meeting that all PFF projects’ and regional officials will hold urgent meetings with local communities, civil society and action groups to devise an effective strategy for making the campaign a success.
The fisherfolk from marine and inland water bodies will, in their respective areas, organise rallies and hunger strikes to mark the protest against the criminals and press the government into arresting the culprits without delay.
PFF leaders Ayoub Shan and Talib Kachchi were assigned the task to coordinate all PFF units, so that participation of a large number of activists from different parts of the province is ensured.
A large number of fishermen along the coastal belt of the city had anchored their boats and did not go for fishing in protest against the killings of PFF activists, who laid their lives for the protection of mangrove forests.