BADIN, Nov 20: A large number of people staged a demonstration on the Shah Latif road here on Sunday in protest against an oil and gas exploration company, demanding the right of job for local people.

Carrying banners inscribed with slogans such as “stop violation of laws, usurpation of rights of district people”, “people are owners of their soil, they are not beggars”.

Demanding community development work in the district and right of jobs to local people, they observed a token hunger strike for six hours.

The strike was supported by various village organizations of union council Ahmed Rajo.

A number of women from the village and children joined the hunger strike.

Representative of the Action Aid, Ms Tasleem Zounr, and Dr Akash Ansari of the Badin Rural Development Society, Ghulam Hussain Jamali of the Sindhi Hari Tehrik and Shafi Mohammad Ansari and others also joined the protesters.

They said the British Petroleum was earning billions of rupees from the district but did nothing for community development.

They rejected the company’s claim that it was carrying out development works.

They demanded that the company’s representative should come to the assembly of the district people and present their viewpoint.

The protesters said the company should carry out development work under international law and in accordance with agreement with the government.