20000204

Hunger striker threatens self-immolation

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: Ghulam Hussain alias Arab Lohar, resident of Tando Bago, district Badin, who has been on the hunger strike outside the Hyderabad Press Club for the last 828 days in protest against the murder of his close friend, labour leader Mohammad Rafiq Khoso, has threatened to commit self-immolation on February 10 if justice was not done in the case.

Speaking at a news conference at the Hyderabad Press Club here on Thursday along with Mir Faraz Ali Talpur, Arab Lohar said that Mohammad Rafiq Khoso was arrested by the Tando Bago Police on October 2, 1997, for the alleged kidnapping of Mukesh and Mujahid Khawaja.

He alleged that Khoso was implicated in the false case at the behest of Ali Bux Shah alias Pappu Shah, Ghulam Hussain Shah, Mirghumal Jhamandas and Lachmandas and tortured to death in connivance with then Badin SSP Sain Rakhio Mirani, the then Badin DSP, Manzoor Khatian, and the then SHO, Khalid Junejo.

He said that many a telegram and fax messages were sent to the rulers but justice was not provided.

He said the mother of the deceased has been on the death-bed awaiting justice.

He demanded that the case should be reinvestigated by an honest police officer, an army officer or a joint interrogation team.

He threatened to commit self-immolation outside the Hyderabad Press Club on February 10 at 12-noon if justice was not done and warned that the other friends of the deceased would also follow suit.