May 07, 2007	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 6: Anjuman Mazarain Punjab and the People’s Rights Movement have condemned alleged attacks on tenants of Boylganj village in Pakpattan district by Rangers personnel in which three persons including a child were injured.

In a joint statement issued here on Sunday, AMP chairperson Liaquat Ali said the attacks took place at the culmination of the wheat harvesting season and was perpetrated by elements within the local administration.

He said these elements first threatened tenant Mohammad Mihta with dire consequences if he did not pay the designated cash rent for the land under his possession, and after his refusal kidnapped him.

Consequently, tenants of the six adjacent villages of the Army Welfare Trust-administered farms started protests.

“It was at this point that the administration ordered the Rangers to open fire on the demonstrators,” Mr Ali claimed. Three tenants in critical conditions were being treated in Sahiwal, he said.

The PRM also criticised the government for reigniting the conflict with tenants in Punjab.

“It is the feature of dictatorships that they resort to the use of force when faced with their own demise,” the statement observed.