KHAIRPUR, Aug 1: Farmers held a demonstration against black marketing of fertilisers, particularly urea in Kot Diji taluka under the banner of Khairpur Abadgar Ittehad (KAI), on Friday.

President Syed Shakir Shah, General Secretary Faqir Niaz Hussain Bhambhro and others told journalists that urea and other fertilisers were being sold at higher rates as a urea bag fetching official price of Rs620 was now selling for Rs750.

The current season requires urea application to cotton and paddy crops forcing farmers to procure it on hefty rates, they said and added: “The Agriculture Department and district administration were least bothered to come to the rescue of farming community.”

STRIKE: Shutter-down strike was observed in Thari Mirwah in protest against the kidnapping of a girl. The strike was observed on the call of social organisations and citizens.