THE POLICE AND PARAMILITARY RANGERS FROM PUNJAB HAS REFRESHENED THE MEMORY OF BRUTALITIES OF THE “JALLIANWALA BAGH” – ALTAF HUSSAIN

GET READY TO FREE THE “OCCUPIED SINDH” FROM THE ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PUNJAB

London – 10 June 2001

Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) lamenting today’s direct and indiscriminate spraying of bullets by the Police and Paramilitary Rangers from Punjab at the peaceful protestors gathered to protest against the water shortage in Sindh, said that it has refreshed the memory of brutalities of the “Jallianwala Bagh” in the British India.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that there can be absolutely no two opinions that every officer of the police and rangers of the Punjabi Administration in the “Occupied Sindh” has become General Dyer which has been manifested by direct and indiscriminate spraying of bullets on the innocent people, today.

Mr Altaf Hussain in his statement issued from London severely condemning the indiscriminate firing has appealed to the people of the “Occupied Sindh” to prepare themselves mentally and physically to continually protest against the barbarism and callous acts of the police and rangers of Punjab. Addressing the leaders of the mainstream political parties, Mr Altaf Hussain asked that would their parties not practically protest in solidarity and sympathy with the people of Sindh against the indiscriminate firing and barbarism of the Punjabi police and rangers resulting in martyrdom and injuries of peaceful Sindhi brethren, if they consider the people of Sindh as human beings or would they only limit their actions to verbal rhetoric and statements?

Addressing the leaders of Jihadi outfits established on the rhetoric of “occupied Kashmir” and “jihad”, Mr Altaf Hussain asked whether they would declare jihad against those who opened indiscriminate fire upon the innocent Sindhi protestors, murdering and injuring them?  Whether they would practically perform jihad against the ruthless and oppressive personnel of Police and Paramilitary Rangers to free the “occupied Sindh” from the clutches of Police and Paramilitary Rangers from Punjab?  Are Sindhis not Muslims?  Is it not their duty to perform jihad against the bloodshed of the innocent Sindhis?

Addressing the Mohajirs and Sindhis of Shah Latif’s Dharti, Mr Hussain asked that is the ruthlessly murdered Abdul Haque Mirani at the Dadu Moro Bridge not the son of Sindh Dharti?  Was he not your brother?  Would you have remained silent if your real brother had been so ruthlessly murdered?  Or you would have protested intensely?

Mr Altaf Hussain said that the proof of the extensive direct and indiscriminate firing of the Police and Paramilitary Rangers upon the peaceful protestors could be witnessed by seeing the hundreds of gunshot wounded in the hospitals of Sindh.  Dozens of those injured are in critical condition.  The public should pray for their speedy recovery.

Addressing all the political parties including the nationalist parties, Mr Hussain asked whether on today’s Jallianwala Bagh style oppressive act, they would continue to consider their affiliation with their organisations or being the son of “occupied Sindh”, they would keep aside their political affiliation, practically come into the field and protest.  Mr Hussain said that in a day or two, Muttahida Quami Movement and Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz would announce their line of action on this national tragedy.  He appealed to the people of occupied Sindh Province for their total and practical support to this line of action.  He also appealed to the intellectuals, writers, lawyers, teachers, students, journalists, political and social organisations, and people from all walks of life, particularly the mothers, sisters, daughters, elders and youth of the Sindh Province to protest against the ruthless act of indiscriminate firing of the Punjabi Police and Paramilitary Rangers upon the innocent people of Sindh.  In the name of Shah Latif and “occupied Sindh”, he appealed to them to get ready to free the “occupied Sindh” from the illegal occupation of Punjab.

In the end, Mr Hussain sent his heartfelt condolences to the family members of Abdul Haque Mirani and prayed to Almighty Allah to accept the martyrdom of Abdul Haque Mirani and grant him a place in heaven.  Sympathising with the injured, Mr Hussain prayed to Almighty Allah for their speedy recovery.

Paying tributes to the martyr Abdul Haque Mirani Mr Hussain said,

Abdul Haque Mirani aaj hum main nahin
Huwa hai shaheed, wo mara nahin
Khoon ke us ka na lay jo hisaab
Dharti Sindh ka wo beta kahra nahin