MUZAFFARGARH, April 24: The Apollo Textile Mills administration alleged that some former workers under the patronage of local legislators were creating harassment on the pretext of non-payment of dues by holding protest rallies and blocking road.

General manager Col Amin Akhtar (retired) alleged that a local MPA and an MNA were backing these extortionists who wanted to blackmail the millers He said some workers were terminated because of their negligence and wrongdoings while legislators who extorted protection money through them were involved in protest against the mills.

Mr Akhtar alleged that these extortionists demanded protection money not only from our mills but also from other mills in the area. They would also intimidate in case of refusal to meet their demands, he said. He claimed that the salaries to workers were given in time while dues of the sacked workers were already announced. He said even banners were displayed for the dues collection, but the extortionists were involved in a false propaganda against the mills.

He said police had arrested Pappu Chajra and Rafique Chann for injuring the production manager on mills premises.

The general manager claimed that one of the three units of Hashir Textiles Mills had been closed down mainly on account of legislators-led extortionists group.