Pakistan News Service
May 11, 2012
LAHORE:
Extremely irked by the prolonged and unscheduled load shedding, people across
Punjab were compelled to take to the streets on Thursday in simmering anger
against the apathetic rulers.
The power
shortfall has crossed 7,000MW and the government is resorting to more than 20
hours of power outage in rural, and more than 18 hours in urban areas of
Punjab. Thousands of protesters took out rallies, staged sit-ins, ransacked
offices and residences of lawmakers and politicians, attacked WAPDA
installations, damaged vehicles and clashed with police, resulting in several injuries
in different parts of the province.
Protest
demonstrations against unannounced load shedding were held in all major cities
of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Vehari, DG Khan,
Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Pir Mahal,
Burewala and Jhelum. In Lahore, protesters burnt tyres and blocked traffic on
several roads. Protesters took out rallies in Faisalabad, chanting slogans
against the government and stopping businesses from operating. A large number
of industrial workers also joined the protests and blocked traffic by burning
tyres on the roads. The protesters said the power shutdown in different areas
had made it impossible for them to earn their livelihoods.
A complete
shutter-down strike was observed in Vihari, and people went on rampage during
protest rallies against power outages. The angry protesters damaged public
property and a WAPDA office. They broke open the main gate and walls of the
WAPDA office, broke windowpanes and doors, and set on fire the office record
and equipment. They also set fire to cars, motorcycles and bicycles parked in
the office.
The
furious protesters also attacked the offices and residences of lawmakers and
politicians. They attacked the office of PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana and broke windows
and doors, and set them on fire. They also attacked the offices of PML-Q MPA
Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry and PTI District President Tahir Anwar Wahla and set them
on fire. The angry mob also pelted stones and damaged Rescue 15 office.
The protesters, including members of the
Vehari District Bar, forced their entry into the DCO Complex and MEPCO Complex
and clashed with police. Police resorted to baton charge and tear gas-shelling.
The clash and crossfire between police and protesters resulted in injuries to
five protesters, two cops and a journalist.
No comments:
Post a Comment