Staff Report

LAHORE: Violent protests against load shedding continued on the second consecutive day across Punjab, SAMAA reported Tuesday.

People damaged things, burnt tyres, blocked roads, suspended traffic and chanted slogans against government in several parts of the province like they did yesterday.

Such protests were reported in Rawat, Burewala, Gujranwala and other cities today.

Yesterday, scores of youngsters, carrying sticks and stones in hands, vandalizing banks, shops and looting goods from a commercial plaza at Jaranwala road of the city were reported.

The angry protestors, most of them powerloom workers, also pelted stones at vehicles, damaging public and private properties against unscheduled load-shedding.

Initially, police parties played role as silent spectators, allowing the protestors to freely go on rampage, however, extra contingents were later called who repulsed the mob by restoring to tear-gas shelling, arresting dozens of people.

Earlier, in the fresh anti-loadshedding protest, hundreds of people marched on roads and chanted slogans against government authorities.

They called for an end to the 22-hours-long power cuts which have severely affected industries, businesses and the daily life at times when mercury has gone up at extreme proportion.

Demonstrations were also held in different areas of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala and Jhang, burning tyres on roads and suspending vehicular traffic for many hours.

Punjab law minister, Rana Sanaullha, condemned the load-shedding and held federal government responsible for power crises.

He said the number of power protestors might turn into thousands if force was used against them and the problem was remained unresolved. SAMAA