Shutterdown strike in Balochistan

QUETTA - A shutter-down strike and Black Day was observed on Sunday in Baloch- dominated districts of Balochistan, including provincial capital on the call made by Baloch National Front (BNF). The strike call was also supported by Baloch Students Organisation and other Baloch nationalist parties, and observed Black Day by wearing black armed bands and hoisting black flags on rooftops of their residences. In Quetta, some shops and markets were opened at Jinnah Road, Share-e-Iqbal, Abdul Sattar Road and Liaquat Bazaar, however, majority of shops and markets were closed down in Baloch populated areas, including Sariab Road, Brewery Road, Joint Road, Double Road, Killi Ismail, Hazarganji and Hudda. Road traffic was also thin in Quetta as compared to normal days. Police backed by Frontier Corps, Balochistan Constabulary and Anti-Terrorist Force were deployed at different sensitive parts of the City and also kept patrolling to maintain law and order. However, no untoward incident was reported in Quetta. As per reports, complete shutter-down strike was observed in Nushki, Kharan, Turbat, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Kalat, Mastung, Panjgour, Awaran, Mashkay and Suraab where business community and shopkeepers responded positively with the strike call and business activities were at standstill. In Turbat, protesters blocked highways by erecting stones and burning old tyres while some people also set Deputy District Education Office on fire which was damaged. Complete strike was also observed in Mand, Tumb, Buleda and other towns of Kech district.