SANGHAR, June 2: Local fishermen including women and children staged a demonstration on Thursday outside the office of the fisheries department in protest against the auction of fishing rights. They also held a sit-in and raised slogans against the contract system.

As a result, the second phase of the auction of fishing rights of Bakkaar, Makhi, Kakahoo and many other small lakes and canals could not take place.

The first phase was held on May 21 and the last one would be held on June 20. The officials of the fisheries department and contractors who had come to offer bids could not face angry fishermen and left the office.

The deputy director of the fisheries department, Nasrullah Larik, who is also chairman of the auction committee, and assistant director Khurshid Shah refused to meet the protesting fishermen and left their offices.

Pir Bux Mallah, Rasool Bux Mallah, Hussain Mallah and Ayub Mallah led the protesters.