April 18, 2002	Thursday	Safar 4, 1423

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SHEIKHUPURA, April 17: The Irrigation Department (QB link division) employees held a demonstration in front of XEN Upper Gojra branch office here on Wednesday.

Department’s Faisalabad Circle Chief Engineer Anwar Khan had come here to probe into complaints against the executive engineer (QB link division) when the employees gathered there. They chanted slogans against XEN Zahid Shah. A worker attempted self-immolation to protest against the excesses of the XEN.

The protesters said that Zahid Shah treated them like slave. Sanitary worker Walayat Masih was maltreated and abused by Zahid Shah when he was performing duties at the XEN’s residence on Good Friday.

A driver said that he had been forcibly working as servant at the house of the XEN after duty hours. One day he showed reluctance, the XEN reprimanded him and later ordered stoppage of his salary.

The protesters alleged that they had proofs that the XEN embezzled funds.

All Pakistan Clerks Association’s district president Rana Ashraf said that if the XEN was not transferred immediately, a countrywide agitation would be launched.

Chief Engineer Anwar Khan later told protesters that he had requested the irrigation secretary to immediately transfer XEN Zahid Shah. The protesters dispersed on his assurance.

DACOITS KILL MAN: Dacoits killed a wagon passenger on resistance on GT Road on Wednesday morning.

Four dacoits, travelling in the wagon in the guise of passengers, whipped out their weapons near Ziabad and started looting the occupants. They opened fire when Gulzar put up resistance. He died on the spot.

Area police registered a case against the dacoits who escaped with the loot.