While in a queue: Two injured in scuffle at wheat purchase centre

FAISALABAD:

Two farmers were injured during a scuffle over the allegedly unfair distribution of gunny bags at a wheat procurement centre in Tandlianwala, witnesses said.

Muhammad Hussain, one of the witnesses, said some farmers had queued up at the centre to collect gunny bags.

He said they got into an argument with the staff after it allegedly handed bags to people behind them in the queue.

“When the farmers protested, the centre’s manager forced them out,” Hussain said. “Some of the staff beat up the farmers and refused to give them the bags.”

He said two farmers Nawaz Baloch and Hasan Kathia were taken to a hospital with injuries. He said the farmers later staged a protest demonstration against the centre’s administration.

“The administration then stopped distributing the bags, locked the centre and fled,” he said. The district food controller said he was investigating the matter.

“Action will be taken against the staff if they are found guilty of unfair distribution,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2014.