SWABI, Feb 7: The district police authorities have assured the staff of tobacco purchasing companies of security and asked them to work according to their plan.

Sources at the companies and police department told Dawn on Wednesday that companies’ representatives had discussed the security issue with district police officials following the threat from growers and sought protection.

The district administration had chalked out a security plan for the companies, a police official said.

The growers in a protest demonstration on Tuesday warned the tobacco companies and Pakistan Tobacco Board of consequences in case prices of tobacco were not increased for the upcoming season.

According to an official, the companies had restricted the movement of their staff and they were asked not to go to the field or meet with the growers for security reasons.

Meanwhile, the Ittehad-i-Kashtkaran announced on Wednesday that their protest against the companies would continue and they would announce their future course of action shortly.