HYDERABAD, Jan 8: The residents of district Thatta, belonging to the Hindu community, have accused the officials of the excise and taxation department, of harassment and demanded the immediate release of Lekho Mal and Raja who had been arrested in false cases.

They demanded that the concerned officials should be dismissed from their service otherwise they would resort to extreme measures like protest demonstrations and hunger strikes.

They were speaking at a press conference at the press club here on Tuesday.

Ramesh Kumar, Vishan Das, minority councillor, Wikno Mal, Kaka Bheero Mal and Madhu Das said that they had come to record their statements in the office of the director, Excise and Taxation, in an inquiry and after they came out, they were confronted by the excise and taxation officer, Thatta, Zaheer Ahmed Shah, and Excise Inspector Muhammad Jumman Memon, who were accompanied by their armed men, and warned them of dire consequences if they gave statements in favour of Lekho Mal, son of Thomi Mal, and Raja, son of Odhu Mal.

They said that the excise officers also threatened to involve them in false cases.

They appealed to the president, Sindh Governor and the chief secretary to order the release of Lekho Mal and Raja as they had been implicated in false cases.

Answering a question, they said that Vishan Das had defeated Ashok Kumar, alias Gul, manger of Omega Wine Shop, owned by Arjundas, in the local bodies elections.

They said that as the excise department was close to the wine shop owners, its officials had harassed the political opponents of Arjundas and Ashok Kumar.

They alleged that the officials of the excise department had robbed Lekho Mal of Rs232,000, a gold chain and a watch at the time of his arrest.

They said they could not hold the press conference in Thatta due to the pressure and harassment of the excise officials.