January 08, 2008	Tuesday	Zilhaj 28, 1428

SANGHAR, Jan 7: Wheat flour crisis has hit people of Achhor Thar badly. This is part of Thar Desert spread over 23,000 sq kilometre touching eastern border with India. Due to lack of roads and communication, people travel by camel or on foot to Khipro and Hathungo to purchase few kilograms of flour.There are only two passages on four-by-four vehicles from Ranahoo to Hathungo and Khipro to Juntao due to sand.

Tharis travel for hours and in most cases the whole day to the town to be told ‘flour is not available’. Consumers stay overnight to buy few kilograms next day as majority lacks money to procure in huge quantity.

They hardly afford more than two or three days’ consumption. The vicious circle goes unabatedly.

People of Tor Ranaho, Sahito Arisar, Joongahoo, Mankahoo, Asodar of Taluka Khipro were worst affected. Previously there were no flour mills but now local makeshift to village shops had been arranged.

An official of the Sustainable Development Foundation, Majid Mangrio informed Dawn that mobile utility stores should be dispatched immediately to this area. He said substitute of wheat was bajra and rice but these too were not within the reach of poor Tharis due to skyrocketing prices.

He said Tharis were facing hunger and disease and it was the government’s responsibility to take necessary action to save the people of Achhro Thar.

BAN: District Coordination Officer Sanghar has banned the movement of wheat under section 144 CrPC till further orders. According to Monday’s order, the commodity cannot be shifted from the jurisdiction of Sanghar district.

The order was issued to control the rising prices. The DCO called the meeting of flour millers and chakki owners in his office where they demanded increase in quota.

The DCO warned them that if quota was misused, strict action will be taken against them.