LAHORE, Sept 12: An organization which claims itself to be a representative of tenants alleged on Thursday that the Raw agents and money were worsening the situation on Okara military farms.

Ajuman Falah-i-Kashtkaran general secretary Shahzad Shafi, along with vice-president Haji Muhammad Ashraf, chairman Ch Muhammad Ali and president Haji Rasheed, claimed that the Indian agency Raw was instigating farmers and pumping in money to fuel the fire.

“The Pakistan Rangers are our benefactors offering best possible deal to the farmers,” he said.

The presence of the Pakistan Rangers’ officials and vehicles gave way to allegations that the event had been arranged and sponsored by the Rangers to counter farmers’ movement. The office-bearers of the Ajuman though denied the allegation.

“We have come here on our own to let others know the truth,” he claimed. But his claim was belied by the heavy presence of Rangers’ officials, including their protocol officer, at the press conference.

“They (Rangers) have already offered seven-year lease of the land along with ownership rights of houses,” Shafi said. That was in addition to a ‘massive development’ plan to be executed shortly.

“The so-called leadership of the Anjuman Muzareen has collected money to the tune of millions of rupees and is trying to hijack the issue for vested interest,” he said.

“Ms Asma Jehangir has taken Rs 50,000 for visiting the area and for making a speech there,” he alleged and asked journalists to accompany him to the area if proofs were needed.

Around 1700 tenants, Shafi said, had already signed the contract and others were accepting the deal very rapidly. “These NGOs are trying to scuttle the deal and visiting the area to incite farmers.”.