Highlighting the bonded labor issue Green Rural Development Organization had planned a 12 day (1st March to 12th March 2005) long march from Jhudo to Hyderabad Press club. A gathering of more than 20,000 people from different districts of Sindh, Pakistan joined in the final phase of long march from Fateh Chowk to press club Hyderabad.

This article highlights the activities of the marchers from 1st March to 6th March.

1st March
More than 5000 peasants, labourers, students, & people from all walks of life, including women and children, gathered at Jhudo district Mirpurkhas Sindh, Pakistan. They were carrying the national flag of Pakistan, portrait of Quaid-e-Aizam – the founder of Pakistan, a copy of the Constitution of Pakistan, and a copy of bonded labour abolition act with them. There were banners in their march demanding release of peasants in bonded labour, distribution of government lands to the peasants, opening of schools in bonded labour affected areas, assurance of 100% vaccination of polio and other killer diseases among the bonded labour family children, and issuance of Rs.5000 as unemployment allowance.

At the start of march, several dignitaries - veteran politician Comrade Jam Saqi, Usman Baloch chairman of National Workers Party, Ali Nawaz Nizamani (NRSP-ILO), Dr. Nihal Chand President of Bheel Sujag Tehrik, Bhooro Chanci, Master Lal Jee, Uncle Umb Bheel, Mitho Khan Coordinator of Pakistan Kisan Itehad Sindh, Dr. Ghani Talpur, Veer Jee Kolhi leader of Kolhi community, Dr. Ghulam Hyder and Wali Jatoi of GRDO, and Comrade Ghulam Hussain president GRDO addressed the marchers.

The marchers started at 12:30 towards their next destination and covered a distance of 10 k.m.

2nd March
About 2000 marchers gathered at Bheel colony, marched towards Tando Jan Muhamamd and covered a distance of 12 k.m. At the start of the march, Mrs. Verru Kolhan - a peasant lady, Nan Jee Bheel, Ghulam Hussain Malookani, Mitho Khan, Ali Imran, Mehar Khan, and others addressed the gathering with flaming words and utmost promises that the struggle against bonded labour would continue until its abolition from Pakistan.

3rd March
The marchers started towards their next destination Dhigri town. When the marchers arrived there, citizens of the town showered flowers upon the participants and chanted slogans - Pakistan Zindabad (Long Live Pakistan), Mazdoor-Hari-Paki-Yari (Long live Labourer, Peasant friendship). Thousands of peasants from nearby villages also joined the long march. Comrade Mustafa Raza a prominent peasant leader of Digri town served tea to the marchers. Faqeer Basheer Leghari, Qurban Jiskani, Comrade Ghulam Hussain and Dr. Hyder addressed the participants of the march and emphasized the unity among peasant, labourers and people from working class. They said that for the development of the country, equity in resources and balance in power were necessary. They demanded strict implementation of bonded labour abolition act by the government. They also demanded agriculture reforms in the country.

4th March
The marcher’s destination was Mirwah Gorchani, within the jurisdiction of Dighri Police Station. During the march, some miscreants tried to snatch Pakistan Flag from marchers but marchers managed to throw them out.

When marchers arrived at Mirwah Gorchani Town, about 2000 people gathered and welcomed them. Local workers of different political parties were also present at the occasion and assured their support to the long march. A prominent peasant from Sindh Hari Committee, Zameer Lashari, addressed the gathering and assured them of his support. Comrade Ghulam Hussain, Lalee Kolhn, Anb Bheel, and Advocate Bhooro Bheel were among other speakers of the day.

5th March
The marchers traveled from Meer Wah to Saman Moree. A large number of peasants from nearby villages greeted marchers at Saman Moree and showered flowers on the participants. At Saman chowk leaders of the march and local community leaders, especially Dalits, addressed the gathering of marchers and local people and elaborated on the issue of bonded labour. They reminded the marchers of the promise of keeping the abolition of bonded labour issue alive until its completion.

6th March
The marchers started from Saman Moree and walked to Mirpurkhas. On the way, workers of Labour Party Pakistan, Awami Tehreek, Peoples Party, Hari Committee, President of District Bar Association Mithi, Representative of District Bar Association Hyderabad, and several other prominent individuals from different walks of life joined the march. More than 3000 people gathered at market committee chowk Mirpurkhas. Comrade Ghulam Hussain Malookani President GRDO, Mitho Khan of Pakistan Kissan Itehad, Mr.Bhooromal Advocate President District Bar Council Mithi, Mr.Ghulam Qadir Mirnani Labour Party Pakistan, Mr. Bilawal Lund Peasants Representative from Badin, Kanji Mal Ranoo, Sarwan Kumar, Veer Jee, Mrs. Verroo, Mrs. Roopa Kumari, Mrs Laee Kolahan, and Mr. Jeevan Kumar Bheel addressed the gathering. From there marchers walked to press club Mirpurkhas, where participants sat in to pressurize authorities to realize and undertake their duties.

Green Rural Development Organization
A-4, Hyderabad Town, Phase-II, Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
E-mail: grdovsk@yahoo.com
Phone: 0092-222-656748

Report By: Jatoi Wali Muhammad Danish

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