Pindi admin arrests naanbais during negotiations

Alleged highhandedness sparks outrage among association leaders

RAWALPINDI:

In a surprising move, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hassan Waqar Cheema Monday invited naanbai leaders to his office for negotiations only to arrest them.

This drastic measure came in response to the naanbai leaders' protest against the ongoing increase in flour prices, during which they sealed 40 ovens across the district, fined naanbais between Rs40,000-60,000, and sentenced them to one month in jail.

Previously, the deputy commissioner had arrested naanbais in the middle of the night, detaining them under the guise of negotiations aimed at reducing bread (roti) prices.

According to sources, the naanbai leadership was coerced into announcing a reduction in bread prices at the DC's office. This incident sparked outrage within the naanbai community, leading to a sit-in at Kacheri Chowk where they raised slogans.

The police responded with a baton charge, dispersing the protestors, arresting several oven owners, and detaining them. In retaliation, the vendors declared a strike.

Naanbai Association Cantt President Shah Jahan Abbasi condemned the deputy commissioner's actions, arguing that calling leaders for negotiations only to arrest them is unjust. Abbasi noted that the arrests occurred within the DC's office, with police subsequently taking the leaders to the DD office. The arrest of all naanbai leaders has ignited further protests.

Central President Shafiq Qureshi addressed the striking bakers, highlighting the significant increase in costs. He pointed out that when the price of bread was reduced to Rs16, a 20 kg bag of flour cost Rs1,600, but now it's Rs2,000—a Rs400 increase.

Electricity bills have surged from Rs3,300 to Rs30,000, and gas bills from Rs80,000 to Rs 0.2 million. The price of a commercial gas cylinder has soared to Rs12,500.

Qureshi stressed that bakers cannot afford to purchase expensive flour and sell bread at the current price. He demanded that the price of bread be increased to Rs20, or that the prices of flour, electricity, and gas be reduced to their previous levels, or that ovens (tandoors) be subsidised.

Despite requesting a District Price Control Committee meeting one and a half months ago, no solution was found, leading to the current situation of challans, fines, and arrests. In one night, 40 ovens were sealed, 60 were fined Rs40,000 to Rs75,000, and 31 oven owners were sent to Adiala jail for a month, which Qureshi described as cruel.