June 10, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1428

BAHAWALPUR, June 9: Angered by the demolition of over 50 houses at Bhutta Salahuddin in Shahdra Basti on Friday, hundreds of people blocked main railway track on Saturday, disrupting rail traffic.

The angry protesters also chanted slogans against District Nazim Tariq Cheema.

The district administration and police demolished houses of what they called illegal occupants during an operation in the area. The district nazim and DCO Muhammed Ashraf supervised the operation.

On Saturday, about 100 protesters, including women and children, reached the nearby railway station and stretched themselves on the tracks. Police reached the scene and made the protesters lift the blockade. The protesters demanded that Tehsil Municipal Administration officials, who demolished their houses, redress their grievances immediately. Five protesters fainted during the protest due to heat.

As a result, a number of trains, including Karachi-bound Shalimar Express, were delayed.

Police registered a case against five people for allegedly attacking TMA staff and injuring two policemen during Friday’s operation.

LOADSHEDDING: People had a bad day on Saturday because of frequent power breakdowns in Bahawalpur.

The Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) failed to control the situation. People complained that these power breakdowns had damaged their home appliances.