LARKANA, Dec 23: Hundreds of sugarcane growers and Sindh National Front activists took out a procession in Naudero on Tuesday in protest against Naudero Sugar Mills management for paying low price of sugarcane.

SNF leader Amir Bakhsh Bhutto led the procession that emerged from new bus stand and its participants, carrying flags, banners and placards, marched on main roads of the town.

After covering a half kilometre’s distance, they staged a sit-in outside the gate of the mill, blocking the road for an hour.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhutto, Abdul Lateef Bughio, Liaquat Ali Abro and others alleged the management was purchasing sugarcane for Rs35 per 40kg while the government rate was Rs41 per 40kg.

Last year also, they recalled, the mill managers had purchased sugarcane at reduced rate.

They alleged that the Larkana district Nazim and the area MPA were supporting the mill managers.

They also alleged that the labourers were forced to work for 12 hours at the mill.

ENCROACHMENTS:The Larkana district council on Saturday resolved to evict encroachers from its buildings besides deciding to initiate a survey of its properties in the district.

This was decided in a district council meeting held here the other day.

Badar Abassi said that certain buildings belonging to the district council were occupied by “agencies,” adding that these building should be renovated.