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Hawkers strike against arrests

RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: Newspapers hawkers here resorted to a token strike on Saturday morning to protest against the arrest of 11 hawkers, including the office-bearers of Akhbar Faroosh Union, Faisalabad (AFAF).

The hawkers blocked road and staged a sit-in in front of the deputy commissioner's office to condemn the arrest of hawkers in a fraud case.

They demanded immediate release of the arrested hawkers and threatened to stop distribution of national newspapers if action was not taken against a former MNA of PPP for his vindictive attitude.

They said that the MNA himself tagged bogus documents along with the application of hawkers in connivance with officials of local administration to implicate the hawkers.

They also alleged that police and administration were favouring the MNA, who is trying to deprive the hawkers of their legitimate rights, through fraudulent practices and coercive measures.

The distribution of newspapers was delayed for more than four hours. The hawkers threatened to continue protest if immediate action was not taken against the real culprits.