KASUR: Scores of sugarcane growers and lawyers on Monday staged a demonstration at Chunian against a sugar mills’ management for not making payments to the farmers “for over a year.”

The protesters also blocked the road by burning tyres and chanted slogans against the mills’ administration.

About a week ago, the farmers had protested over the same issue for two days. The district administration had assured them of justice and had a round of dialogue with both the farmers and the mills’ management, but to no avail.

On Monday, scores of farmers led by Kisan Ittehad president Aurangzaib Ali and Chunian Bar Association head Muhammad Asghar staged a demonstration outside the city police station near assistant commissioner’s office and demanded action against the mills’ administration.

They also blocked the Kutchery Chowk by burning tyres and threw traffic out of gear.

They said that despite repeated assurances given by the district administration the mills’ management was reluctant to make payments to hundreds of farmers.

The protesters deplored that while the farmers were already hit by the low potato prices, the sugar mills owners were finding excuses to deny them payments for the cane crop.

Later, the protesters dispersed on the assurance of AC Sheikh Muhammad Khalid that justice would be done. However, they warned of protest again if payments were not made in a few days.

BURNT: A man set ablaze his wife over some domestic issue in Deo Sial village in Chunian on Monday.

Reports said that Allah Ditta had contracted second marriage with Aasia Bibi some months back. On Monday, Ditta allegedly sprinkled petrol on his wife and torched her. Neighbours admitted her to the THQ Hospital from where she was shifted to the Lahore General Hospital in a critical condition.

Chunian police claimed to have arrested suspend Allah Ditta.

SIX BOOKED: The Pattoki police booked seven people for allegedly attacking an Excise and Taxation team on Monday.

Complainant excise inspector Muhammad Waheed said he along with constable Musawir Hussain went to the shop of Sheikh Muhammad Asif for the recovery of tax.

He said, after an exchange of arguments, Asif called others who manhandled him and the constable, tearing his uniform as well.

Police registered a case against the suspects.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2016