THATTA, June 25: Dozens of fishermen, accompanied by their bare-foot children, staged a noisy demonstration on Tuesday in front of the district police officer at Makli against the highhandedness of police parties posted at Keenjhar Lake.

The protesters said that although they were fishermen by profession, but nowadays earn their livelihood through renting out rubber tubes and other items to picnickers at the lake.

They said that the police parties were harassing them by confiscating their items and demanding illegal gratification to return the same. The practice, they added, had become a daily routine.

They alleged that the SHO of Keenjhar police post, Fareed, had seized their 300 rubber tubes and demanding money for their return.

Defending the seizure, the policemen at the post argued that the fishermen were running a business of risky items. They contended that the rubber tubes often get punctured while their users enjoyed a deep water swim.

They pointed out that due to hot weather, a very large number of picnickers visit Keenjhar Lake every day and the police had only one rescue boat with two divers at their disposal to meet any eventuality.

The policemen made no mention of the SHO’s alleged demand for the return of the seized rubber tubes.

TICKET-SEEKERS: The former PPP legislators and leaders, hailing from Thatta district, who are seeking the party ticket, have been invited to attend a meeting at Bilawal House, Karachi, on Wednesday. The meeting would be addressed by the party chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, by audio-visual system.