GUJRANWALA: Paddy growers from across the division blocked on Sunday Lohianwala Bypass in protest against what they said government’s apathy to their just demands.

Reports said paddy farmers from Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad and Narowal gathered at Lohianwala Bypass and blocked all surrounding roads. Carrying banners and placards the protesters set ablaze tyres and staged a sit-in at 11.30am which was continued till the filing of the report at 8pm.

The protest paralysed life while passengers especially women and children were in panic due to non-availability of drinking water and milk.

The protesters did not allow access to even ambulances.

Newly-appointed DCO Amir Jan, CPO Waqas Nazir, SP Civil Lines Nadeem Khokar, Motorway SP Munir Marth and other senior police officers attempted to restore traffic but the protesters did not allow them to do so.

Farmer leaders Dr. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Malik Ramzan and Farooq Othi demanded that the price of basmati and non-basmati should be fixed at Rs2,500 and Rs1,200 per 40-kg, respectively.

They said the government had promised to give Rs5,000 subsidy per acre but no step was taken for the purpose.

They also demanded Rs250 per 40-kg price for sugarcane.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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