Power outages: Jobless loom workers protest

FAISALABAD: Dozens of power loom workers on Tuesday blocked Sammundari Road for traffic in protest against power outages, which they said had left a large number of daily-wagers jobless. The protesters affiliated with the Labour Qaumi Movement gathered on Sammundri Road near Novelty Bridge and blocked it for traffic by burning tyres. A brawl started when one of the protesters started firing bullets in the air. He had to jump into the Rakh BranchCanal to avoid beating by others who were trying to attack him. The protesters said power outages had now exceeded 16 hours. They said factories had shutdown leaving workers without jobs. The demonstration ended when a police contingent reached the scene and dispersed the protesting workers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2012.