SHIKARPUR, Aug 26: The farmers of Mehmooda Bagh and adjoining villages staged a rally to protest against the negligence of the district administration, blocking the National Highway at Rustam road chowk here on Tuesday.

Led by Noor Mohammad Mangi, the protesters complained that their paddy crop had been badly damaged owing to the recent rains and was submerged under floodwater but no measures were taken to drain out the water.

They appealed to the relief commissioner, Sindh, and the district administration, Shikarpur, to arrange for early disposal of the accumulated water and provide financial assistance and other relief measures to the affected farmers. They also demanded exemption of water rate and other revenues charges.

On the intervention of the ASP City, the road was opened for vehicular traffic after an hour.

VEHICLES RECOVERED: District police officer, Arif Hanif, raided hideouts of criminals in the jurisdictions of Kot Shahoo and Golo Daro police stations in Khanpur and Garhi Yasin talukas on Monday.

The accused managed to escape, however, the police succeeded in recovering two CD-70 motorcycles without number plates, a Honda Civic car (No. 8671) and a Massi Ferguson tractor from the hideouts.

SHOPS: An estate agent, Mohammad Hajan Bhutto, and his son, Zohaib Hassan, have criticized the demolition of their five shops by the municipal authorities.

Speaking at a press conference at the press club here on Saturday, they said the shops were constructed on the plots situated near old bus stand, Lakhi Gate, which were obtained on 99-year lease.

They said the demolition was ordered by the taluka Nazim who bore a grudge against them, and demanded compensation for the demolition of the shops.

SUICIDE: A young man, Syed Bhooral Shah, 22, of Chatto Mangi village, Garhi Yasin taluka, committed suicide by taking poison in his house the other day.