ISLAMABAD, June 24: A Pakistan Army spokesman on Tuesday said that Rangers were deployed at the Okara Military Farms to maintain law and order and “reinitiate negotiations to work out an amicable solution to the (tenants’) problem.”

Giving its reasons for deploying Rangers at the Okara Military Farms, an ISPR spokesman said that in January 2003 some armed lessees assaulted Military Farms Renala using firearms.

It said that in the ensuing clash a non-commissioned officer of RV and FC and few civilians received bullet injuries. “One of the injured civilians later died in the hospital. The situation became so volatile that even the routine functioning at the Farms had become difficult,” it said.

The spokesman said that under the influence of the “leaders” the lessees started forcibly occupying land which was under self-cultivation of military farms which reflected extreme offensive posture and high-handedness.

The armed lessees went to the extent of confining the officers, staff and families of Renala Farm to their living and working premises, he said.

The ISPR spokesman said that the lessees also resorted to blockade of the GT Road which created serious problems. “The situation became beyond the control of local administration/ police and as a result Rangers had to be deployed to maintain law and order and reinitiate negotiation to work out an amicable solution to the problem.”