GUJRANWALA, Nov 7: On the call of the Punjab Flour Mills Association, a majority of the flour millers across the province began their three-day strike on Friday to protest against the arrest of their four colleagues in Faisalabad.
It may be mentioned that the Faisalabad administration on Thursday had arrested four millers on the charge of arbitrarily increasing the flour price.
An office-bearer of the flour mills association confirmed that all 30 flour mills in the Gujranwala district went on a strike and refused to open their mills despite government’s direction.
The association at a meeting held here demanded that their colleagues arrested in Faisalabad should be released forthwith besides withdrawing the handing down of a fine sentence. They also pledged to continue their strike till the acceptance of their demands.
The supply of flour from mills to the market had been affected badly, giving ample inconvenience to the general public for the provision of flour.
Meanwhile, the deputy director food claimed that a majority of flour millers refused to observe a strike and were supplying flour in the market as usually.
FAISALABAD: Flour millers observed a partial strike in the city and its rural areas.
In consequence, the shortage of flour was reported from different residential areas of the city and some far-flung villages in the district. Uncertainty prevailed in local karyana and grain markets after the reports of strike. Shopkeepers and hoarders were seen purchasing maximum flour to create an artificial shortage for minting money.
An acute shortage of the commodity is apprehended if its smooth supply to shopkeepers has not been made in the next 24 hours.
Office-bearers of the Faisalabad Flour Mills Association claimed that strike would be observed till the release of their four colleagues. They also threatened to stage a protest demonstration if the local administration failed to accept their demands.
Sadar Tehsil Nazim, who has reportedly close links with a number of flour mills owners, also held meetings with them and asked to continue their work in the larger interest of citizens.
Deputy Director Food Rana Saeed refuted the reports of flour shortage and claimed that owners of eight flour mills had assured the local administration that they would provide the commodity to citizens at all costs.
Meanwhile, a local court issued notices to the administration on a bail application moved by flour mills owners for Saturday (today).
BAHAWALPUR: All the flour mills in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts joined the three-day protest strike.
The grinding of the flour in all the mills came to a halt which had adversely affected its supply to markets and the government-sponsored Ramazan Bazaars.
It is feared that if the strike continues as per schedule and the government fail to patch things up with the flour millers, there could soon be atta crisis in the Punjab.
Meanwhile, endorsing the decision of the three-day strike by flour mills, Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Sheikh Muhammad Abbas Raza condemned the arrest of four mill owners by the Faisalabad civil administration.
He said that despite the cooperation of flour millers with the government in the smooth supply of atta to Ramazan Bazaars on reduced rates, the arrest of mill owners could only be termed an attempt of the bureaucracy to create a rift between the association and government.
The BCCI president demanded immediate release of the millers of Faisalabad and action against the officials who arrested them. He also indicated that if the demands of the flour association were not met, the strike could be prolonged.
TOBA TEK SINGH: Flour mills in Gojra observed a complete strike on Friday to condemn the arrest of their four colleagues.
However, the flour millers in Toba Tek Singh, Rajana, Kamalia and Pirmahal did not take part in the strike.