MULTAN, April 4: Tenants of state-run agricultural and livestock farms in Khanewal and Okara districts took out protest processions on Friday to condemn the ‘kidnapping’ of their leaders.

Anjuman Mazareen Punjab leaders Younas Iqbal and Dr Christopher John were reportedly whisked away by some personnel of government agencies on Wednesday last along with AMP activists Sajid Baloch and Faheem in Lahore.

The incident has sparked protests in several state-run farms throughout the province, especially at AMP strongholds of Okara military farms and Peerowal farms of the Punjab Seed Corporation in Khanewal. The AMP has accused Punjab rangers of ‘kidnapping’ its leaders and activists to create hurdles in the holding of a Mazareen convention in Okara on April 7.

AMP units in Chak Nos 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87 and 75 brought out rallies which were also attended by women and children. The participants demanded immediate release of their leaders.

Likewise, the tenants also took out processions in a number of villages of some 17 Chaks of Okara military farms to condemn what they said excesses by the rangers.

Talking to Dawn, Okara tenants’ leaders David said the convention would be held on April 7 as per the schedule. He said besides AMP leadership, senior politicians belonging to various political parties had given their consent to address the moot.