Balochistan traders threaten sit-in

Demand of govt to allow setting up cattle market at Eastern Bypass

QUETTA:

The leaders of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan and Cattle Market on Sunday threatened to hold a sit-in in front of the Governor and Chief Minister’s House if they were not allowed to set up a cattle market at Eastern Bypass, Quetta immediately.

“Protests will be launched, including a sit-in at the Governor and the Chief Minister House. We will protest wherever we can,” they said during a press conference at Quetta Press Club.

President Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan Rahim Agha, SecretaryGeneral Allah Dad Tareen, Chairman Market Cattle Haji Munir Ahmed Langove, Co-Chairman Haji Rahim alias (Coco), Secretary General Mutton and Beef Association Quetta Sarmad Siddique, Hussamuddin, Syed Haider Agha, Aladdin, Rehmatullah Lehri and others also addressed during the press conference.

The speakers said that in the last few days, a precautionary camp set up by PDMA at Quetta’s largest cattle market on the eastern bypass of Quetta city was set on fire by miscreants after which the administrator of the Metropolitan Corporation sealed the market.

“A peaceful protest is the right of every citizen, but damaging private and public property is a serious crime, which we strongly condemn and demand an impartial investigation to find out who is involved in the incident,” they said, adding that it was unfortunate that such an incident had even taken place.

“After sealing off the city’s main market, most of the markets have been set up on highways and streets, which is affecting the flow of traffic and the city’s sanitation system,” the traders added.

“If the market was not reopened without delay, they would be forced to take to the streets in two days to protest.”

They also demanded setting up of a bank in the cattle market, provision of shade for animals, drinking water for people, toilets and ablution facilities.

“A 11-member committee comprising traders and merchants has been formed to solve the problems faced by the traders in the markets and they will utilise their capabilities in this regard.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2020.