Canal protest in Moro turns deadly as tensions explode
Canal protest in Moro took a deadly turn on Tuesday, shaking the heart of Sindh’s Naushahro Feroze district. What began as a heated demonstration against controversial canal projects soon spiraled into chaos, leaving one protester dead and over a dozen others — including police officers — injured.
The small city of Moro turned into a battleground as angry demonstrators clashed with law enforcement near the residence of Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar. Protesters, many wielding sticks and rods, rallied against corporate farming and the proposed new canals on the River Indus, blocking the Moro bypass road in defiance.
When the police tried to disperse the crowd, the standoff escalated fast. Officers resorted to baton charges and aerial firing. Amid the chaos, Zahid Leghari, a young protester, sustained gunshot wounds and tragically lost his life en route to Nawabshah Hospital.
Others weren’t spared either. Several activists and innocent bystanders were injured, including a DSP and six policemen. As ambulances ferried the wounded to nearby hospitals, the atmosphere in Moro remained electric with tension.
The death of Zahid Leghari ignited fury. Protesters stormed Minister Lanjar’s home, torching parts of the building — including his parking shed and drawing room — and damaging police vehicles. Two trailers were also set ablaze on the bypass road.
In Hyderabad, a related protest scheduled by Sindh Saba at the press club was blocked by authorities. Police cordoned off roads and detained two activists to prevent the gathering from gaining momentum.
The canal protest in Moro isn’t just about infrastructure. Protesters say the new canal projects threaten local communities and benefit big corporate farming interests. The growing discontent is also fueled by shrinking indigenous gas supplies, soaring fuel prices, and mounting economic pressures.
As more than four dozen activists affiliated with Sindh Saba and other nationalist groups joined the demonstration, calls for justice grew louder. Slogans rang out against police brutality. Placards demanded answers. Businesses shut their doors, and the once-busy streets emptied in fear.
Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon confirmed the attack on Minister Lanjar’s house and announced a full investigation. “We are looking into whether this was pre-planned,” he said. He claimed that the protesters were armed and violently resisted law enforcement.
Meanwhile, PPP Sindh’s Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamra labeled the attack on the minister’s house as a “terrorist act,” stating that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, such violence crossed the line.
Minister Lanjar has ordered the Naushahro Feroze SSP to deliver a detailed report and stressed that the state’s authority must not be challenged.
By 7 PM, the canal protest in Moro had quieted, but the damage — both physical and emotional — lingered. The people of Moro are left grappling with unanswered questions, deep frustration, and a lingering fear of what might come next.
This protest, like many before it, reflects more than just anger over a single project. It tells a broader story — one of citizens demanding to be heard and a system struggling to listen.
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