THATTA, May 17: Hundreds of fishermen including women belonging to various wetlands of the district staged a protest demonstration against the arrest of chairman, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) and implementation of contract system here on Tuesday.They were led by Shafi Marghar, Gulab Shah and Comrade Gul Mohammad Khushik.

Marching on the main thoroughfares, the protesters chanted slogans against adviser to Sindh chief minister on fisheries Faqir Jadam Mangrio and other officials for adopting anti-fishermen policies.

Joined by activists of various political parties, they converged in front of the Thatta Press Club and staged a sit-in on the National Highway suspending the vehicular traffic for over two hours.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders of fishermen vowed to expand the scope of protest throughout the country, if their leaders were not released and the anti-fishermen policies were not withdrawn immediately.

Meanwhile, Jabbar Memon, district officer fisheries department and secretary assigned to dispose of the contracts of various wetlands of the district, has notified that the auctions of various wetlands of the district under contract system would be held on May 21, May 28, June 4 and June 11, for the year 2005-2006.

He has invited the interested bidders to participate.

DEMO: PTCL employees of the district staged a protest demonstration against the privatisation of the company here on Tuesday.

A procession led by Manzoor Memon, Shaukat Shah and Zulfiqar Chachar wearing black arm bands, chanting slogans, marched through the main bazar and dispersed peacefully at in front of the Thatta Press Club.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders said that privatization of the company was aimed at to depriving the employees of their legitimate right to earn livelihood adding that the employees would fight it out at all cost.