Amid the partial strike observed in the metropolis on the call of nationalist Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) against delays in probing the death of its former chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi, violence erupted in many parts of the city, claiming the lives of at least three people while seven vehicles were reportedly torched in the province.
Shutter downs were witnessed in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Sachal and Rehri goths, Ibrahim Hyderi, Ghaghar Phattak, Cattle Colony, Safoora Goth and some areas of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
All business activities came to a grinding halt in the province, including Sukkur, Nawabshah, Larkana, Khairpur, Tando Muhammad Khan, Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Islamkot and Sakrand.
Three bogies of a train were set on fire at Kotri railway station, where police claimed arresting several arsonists on charges of sparking panic among citizens.
Few cracker blasts and firing incidents were also reported when the police arrested JSQM activists from different parts of the province.
The JSQM leadership had alleged that Qureshi, who died on April 7 in Sakrand, Benazirabad, had been poisoned and demanded an impartial inquiry into his “murder”.
Earlier in the day, unidentified miscreants set a dumper truck and a bus on fire in the Mauripur area. Another bus was burnt in the Kalri area of Lyari.
Incidents of firing were also reported from Safoora Goth, leading to forced closure of business in the area. Some unidentified miscreants also pelted stones on traffic at the Maripur Road, suspending vehicular traffic.
Police claimed rounding up at least four JSQM activists, including a district director, on charges of firing, rioting and arson.
The provincial government has put the police force on high alert all over Sindh.
Three men were shot dead in firing incidents in Mauripur, Khada Market and Lyari areas of the city.
Unidentified attackers also opened fire at a bus in the Lea Market area, injuring one woman and three children.
MQM DEMANDS IMPARTIAL INQUIRY: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Coordination Committee has called for an independent and impartial inquiry to ascertain the cause of death of former JSQM chairman Qureshi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the MQM said that facts should be placed before the nation.
Extending sympathies to the bereaved family members of the deceased leader and the JSQM activists, the committee said that Qureshi would be remembered for his services for the rights of Sindh.
COMMITTEE TO PROBE DEATH: The Sindh Health Department formed a 15-member committee on Wednesday to ascertain the actual cause of death of the JSQM chief.
The committee, headed by Dow International Medial College Forensic Department Chairman Prof Umer Memon, will re-examine the post-mortem findings and present its report by April 14.
The committee comprises forensic experts from different hospitals of Sindh.
