DERA GHAZI KHAN, Jan 1: Scores of farmers staged a protest demonstration and blocked the Dera-Jampur road as a mark of protest against artificial shortage and black marketing of urea fertiliser by local authorities of the utility stores .

A large number of farmers gathered in front of the USC warehouse and claimed that some utility stores employees were behind the urea shortage at the local store. Warehouse officials closed the main door to prevent any untoward incident.

The USC local manager was not available for comments.

The district officer agriculture said that 35 cases had been registered against those involved in urea black marketing in the market but the utility stores matter did not fall in his jurisdiction.