FAISALABAD, July 27: Police baton-charged powerloom workers, injured three of them and arrested nine others when they blocked traffic on Kutchery Road here on Tuesday.

A large number of powerloom workers from different areas of the city staged demonstrations and blocked traffic on Samundri Road, GTS intersection, Jhal Khanuana and Kutchery Road against the owners for depriving them of their legitimate benefits.

They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands about increase in their daily wages and provision of facilities like old age benefits. They raised slogans against factory owners, officials of the labour welfare and the district government.

The situation went out of control when a police team headed by SP (city) Abdul Mateen intercepted the protesters in front of the offices of the district Nazim. Police resorted to baton charge after an exchange of hot words between the SP and the leaders of the protesters, Abdul Jabbar.

A number of aged workers fell on the road during chaos and tortured them physically. Later, they arrested nine protesters, including their leader, and took them to the Factory Area police station.

However, no case has been registered against them till the filing of this report. Sajjad, Shafiq and Haider Ali sustained injuries during the baton charge. They were admitted to hospital.

Some of the protesters pelted stones at the police party near TB Hospital Chowk but no policeman injured. Police also thrashed some of the pedestrians and visitors to the offices of district government.

About a fortnight ago, hundreds of workers belonging to Jhang Road and its adjoining industrial areas demonstrated against their owners which resulted in registration of cases against them. However, the matter was resolved by the administration through dialogues.