BAHAWALNAGAR: Three farmers were injured on Thursday when the guards of Chishtian Sugar Mills opened fire at them during a protest by scores of farmers against the non-payment of their dues. The protest was organised by the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad.

The injured were identified as Muhammad Ahmad, Aslam and Riaz while the guard who fired shots is stated to be Safdar.

Farmers’ representative Amir Watto said they had been demanding the payment of their dues for weeks but in vain. The district administration assured them several times of the timely release of payments.

Hundreds of growers had staged a sit-in for several hours at Sutlej Bridge against the non-payment of their dues a few months ago and had dispersed after the administration essured them that they would receive their dues soon. The slackness by the mills administration resulted in a bloodied protest on Thursday. No legal action was taken against the guard till our going into the press.

PROTEST: Journalists have condemned the implication of their colleagues Sohail Khan in a fake case and later his release.