FAISALABAD, Oct 6: About 500 Samundri farmers on Saturday staged a sit-in in front of the irrigation department offices, blocked roads and marched on various city roads in protest against the “indifferent attitude” of the irrigation officials.

Farmers from Chaks 446, 447, 448 and adjoining villages came on tractor-trolleys, buses and wagons and blocked all the roads leading to the irrigation department offices.

They alleged that the irrigation officials demanded bribe for releasing canal water to their fields. They cut their share of water on failure to grease their palms and gave it to their favourites, they added.

They continued the sit-in for about two hours and chanted slogans against the irrigation functionaries. They were carrying placards inscribed with corruption charges against the SDO and other officials.

Later, they reached the district council offices and met with Naib Nazim Afzal Sahi, who assured them that their genuine demands would be accepted and legal action would be taken against the corrupt officials.

PROTEST AGAINST GOVT: Over a dozen traders’ organizations, religious and political parties announced the launch of a protest campaign from the platform of Defence of Afghan Council Pakistan against the government decision to help the US and its allied forces attack on Afghanistan.

The announcement was made at a news conference here on Saturday.

They said protest rallies and demonstrations would be taken out from various parts of the city. An action plan in this regard would be announced in a couple of days.

They claimed that a civil war would erupt in the country if the government continued with its policy of siding with the US.

They also announced that jihad would be launched against the US if it attacked Afghanistan or took steps to replace the Taliban government.

They urged the government not to provide logistic support, air space or bases to the US forces for attack on Afghanistan.