August 30, 2008	Saturday	Sha'aban 27, 1429

SUKKUR, Aug 29: Police used batons against growers and arrested 20 of them who were protesting against shortage of fertiliser in Mirpur Mathelo on Friday.

In the wake of what is seen as an artificial shortage of fertiliser and its sale at exorbitant prices, hundreds of farmers led by Mir Hassan Mirani, Sahib Chijjan and others gathered on the National Highway while shouting slogans against the Mukhtiarkar and agriculture officers, who according to them, were behind the artificial shortage of this vital agricultural input.

The protesters told journalists that there was no shortage of urea in the area but some of the dealers in connivance with the Mukhtiarkar and agriculture officers, have hoarded fertiliser, which is being sold at an exorbitant price.

They alleged that the Mukhtiarkar was issuing slips to his near and dear ones, who are involved in its black marketing. Due to shortage, a system has been introduced by the government under which dealers sell urea only to those farmers who bring a chit from revenue officials.

Later, the protesters staged a sit-in on the highway due to which vehicular traffic remained suspended for two hours.

In the meantime, the Bello Mirpur SHO along with heavy contingent of police reached the spot and baton charged the protesting farmers, who in retaliation pelted stones on the police as a result of which wind screen and side glasses of police mobiles were broken.

Police arrested more than 20 farmers including Luqman Leghari, Arbelo Shaikh, Jhangal Manghra, Rasheed Leghari, Farid Leghari and Lal Leghari. The police also registered a case against 100 farmers, and nominated 10 on the charges of causing hindrance in official duty and causing loss to government property.

Our Sanghar correspondent adds: The farmers have started looting trailers loaded with fertiliser but it is “friendly looting” because they later pay fertiliser dealers government-fixed price of Rs635 per bag.

Hundreds of farmers remain vigilant on main roads and as soon as they spot a vehicle loaded with fertiliser, they inform other farmers on mobile phone.

After looting, they distribute the fertiliser among themselves but honestly pay the amount at the rate of Rs635 per bag to dealers. Sometimes this tactic backfires when all of a sudden police and revenue officials appear at the scene and announce that the fertiliser belongs to some influential landlord of the area and the police escort it to the farm of such landlord.

This happened on Thursday when a loaded trailer was shifted to the farmland of Nazir Thakur, an influential landlord. The police and revenue officials pleaded that Mr Thakur had booked the fertiliser for his land and had paid in advance.

After the “friendly looting” phenomenon, the dealers have stopped transportation of fertiliser. Fertiliser has vanished from the marker while its price has also gone up to Rs1,100 to Rs1,200 per bag.