Strong-arm tactics: Traders protest against market committee fines
The demonstrators blocked Tandlianwala-Faisalabad Road near Canal Bungalow Bridge by burning tyres.
FAISALABAD:
Traders in Tandlianwala staged a demonstration on Wednesday against the local market committee officials for imposing heavy fines on them for refusing to pay extortion money.
The demonstrators blocked Tandlianwala-Faisalabad Road near Canal Bungalow Bridge by burning tyres. Talking to journalists, Mehar Muhammad Ashraf, one of the protesting traders, claimed that the Tandlianwala Market Committee secretary was forcing them to pay him bribes. “He demands extortion money from us. Those who refuse are heavily fined,” Ashraf said. Traffic at Tandlianwala-Faisalabad Road remained suspended for several hours due to the protest. Police arrived at the scene and assured the protesters that action would be taken on their complaints. The demonstrators then dispersed.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2014.
Traders in Tandlianwala staged a demonstration on Wednesday against the local market committee officials for imposing heavy fines on them for refusing to pay extortion money.
The demonstrators blocked Tandlianwala-Faisalabad Road near Canal Bungalow Bridge by burning tyres. Talking to journalists, Mehar Muhammad Ashraf, one of the protesting traders, claimed that the Tandlianwala Market Committee secretary was forcing them to pay him bribes. “He demands extortion money from us. Those who refuse are heavily fined,” Ashraf said. Traffic at Tandlianwala-Faisalabad Road remained suspended for several hours due to the protest. Police arrived at the scene and assured the protesters that action would be taken on their complaints. The demonstrators then dispersed.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2014.