Sugarcane growers demonstrated in DI Khan against delay in crushing season. PHOTO: INP/ FILE
On December 7, Chamber of Agriculture Dera held a massive protest, blocking GPO Chowk. The protest resulted in the disruption of routine life in the city.
Cantt police station SHO Sanaullah lodged a case under sections 341, 147 and 149 of the PPC against the chamber’s president Abdu Rashid Dap. Others named in the FIR included Khizer Hayat Dayal, Haroon Awan, Falik Sher and tehsil council members Pir Noman, Muhammad Khan Kamrani, Azmatullah alias Mano, Khalid Khan and Hamish.
The protesters were accused of disrupting peace. Life came to a standstill due to the demonstration which caused traffic jams. As a result, students and patients were unable to reach schools and hospitals.
In the wake of the protests by the chamber, a meeting was convened at the office of the deputy commissioner, in which representatives of sugarcane farmers and mill owners were present besides Minister for Revenue Ali Amin Gandapur. The agriculturists were assured that sugar mills would start crushing season in DI Khan.
DI Khan has four of the province’s eight sugar mills; sugarcane is one of the biggest cash crops for the area. Over the past week, farmers have been speaking out against the delay in crushing and subsidies promised by the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2015.
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