BRUTAL ARMY OPERATION IS NOW TAKING PLACE IN HYDERABAD

MILITARY REGIME INTENSIFIES ITS OPERATION AGAINST MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT (MQM) IN HYDERABAD, SINDH PROVINCE, SOUTHERN PAKISTAN

The Military Government dominated by Punjab has gone absolutely bonkers since 18^th. April 2001. On 18^th. April 2001, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz (JSQM) had called for a peaceful General Strike in the province of Sindh, southern Pakistan against the denial of the due share of water to Sindh by the Punjab province. Urdu-speaking Sindhis and Sindhi-speaking Sindhis (Mohajirs and Sindhis), the permanent citizens of Sindh totally supported the peaceful General Strike, exercising their democratic right and brought the whole of Sindh province, right from Karachi to its remotest corner, Kashmor to a grinding halt.

For the first time, since the Military usurped power on 12 October 1999, The MQM and JSQM demonstrated its public support by successfully observing the General Strike during the present Martial Rule while the monolithic political parties and political alliances dismally failed to demonstrate any public support during their protests for the restoration of democracy or any other issue, during the rule of the present Military regime.

Enraged with the success of the General Strike, the Military regime launched an operation against the permanent citizens of Sindh province generally and the leaders, office bearers, workers and supporters of the MQM and JSQM particularly to sabotage the unity of Mohajirs and Sindhis. Since, the night of 17^th. April, the ruling Military regime dominated by Punjab has intensified the on-going operation by launching dawn and midnight raids, indiscriminate siege and search operations, unlawful widespread arrests and torture in custody of the state. Several thousands workers and supporters of the MQM and JSQM including its leaders have been unlawfully arrested and undergoing mental and physical torture in custody of the state.

According to the eye witness reports, tonight, the night and early hours of 23^rd. and 24^th. April 2001, at around 9.50 p.m. GMT and 1.50 a.m. Pakistan Time, the Security Forces have totally cordoned off the Mohajir locality of Bhai Khan Chari in Hyderabad consisting of several square miles. Bhai Khan Chari is within the proximity of the MQM Zonal office in Hyderabad.

Eyewitnesses reported that indiscriminate raids, torture and widespread arrests of the MQM workers and supporters are taking place, right now. The Security Forces are also reportedly ransacking the houses and looting cash, jewellery and valuable items. They have created a carnage of merciless torture including punching, kicking with their boots and rifles butts, burning with lit cigarettes not even sparing the women and children.

Reportedly several hundred people have been unlawfully arrested including the MQM worker: Nadim Ghauri of MQM Unit 24. We are awaiting further details and the names of the persons arrested which we will forward to you as soon as we have the information.

Please save the besieged and helpless MQM leaders, workers and supporters in particular and Mohajirs and Sindhis in general from the wrath of the Punjabi army and rulers.