QUETTA, June 25: A large number of farmers staged a protest demonstration in front of the Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday and demanded relief to the growers of the drought hit areas of the province.

The protesters led by the chairman of the landowners’ action committee, Taj Mohammad Agha, were carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands. The police cordoned off the area and did not allow the protesters to move toward the assembly. The police snatched the placards and banners from the protesters and dispersed them.

The growers were demanding writing off of the agriculture loans, declaration of Balochistan as a calamity hit area and provision of relief funds to the affected farmers.

The Speaker sent a committee of assembly members to hold negotiation with the protesters.

They informed the committee that the growers were facing serious financial crises due to the continuous drought.

Later, Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali informed the house that a joint resolution would be moved in the assembly on June 30 for seeking the help of the federal government in this connection.