Jamshoro police on Tuesday took action against students affiliated with the Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) factions, along with other nationalist groups, who were protesting the construction of the Cholistan canal and other water channels intended to irrigate millions of acres in Punjab using Indus River water.
Hundreds of students, including female participants, initially gathered at Zero Point at Sindh University. Police attempted to block their march toward the Indus Highway, but the students persisted and regrouped at the Sindhology entrance. A heavy police presence, led by Jamshoro SSP Zafar Siddiqui and Kotri SP Shahnawaz Jokhio, was deployed to manage the situation.
When efforts to disperse the protesters failed, clashes erupted. Students retaliated by throwing stones, damaging two police vehicles and reportedly injuring several officers and protesters. In response, police used tear gas and baton charges, detaining around eight to ten students.
SSP Zafar Siddiqui reported that three officers were injured and two police vehicles were damaged during the confrontation. He said that the students had been urged to protest peacefully but chose to proceed toward the highway instead.
Wajid Khaskheli, leader of the Jamshoro District Bar Association, called for the release of the detained students, emphasizing that their protest was against the construction of six canals on the Indus River. He warned that the police’s actions could escalate tensions, describing the canal project as a critical issue for Sindh.
Ayaz Tunio, president of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Hyderabad, joined the protest to show solidarity with the students. He condemned the police’s use of force and demanded accountability for the officers involved. Tunio also highlighted that the HCBA had organized a conference opposing the canal project.
The incident drew widespread criticism. Dr. Qadir Magsi, chairman of the Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party, denounced the police crackdown and accused the PPP and PML-N, in collaboration with the establishment, of conspiring to devastate Sindh by constructing the canals. He described the project as a threat to the livelihoods of 60 million people in the region.
