HAFIZABAD
The police rescued 13 forced labourers from a private jail of a landlord during a crackdown after 10 years illegal confinement on Wednesday.
On directives of Lahore High Court, a judicial bailiff and heavy contingent of police conducted raid on the private jail of an influential landlord in Hafizabad. During action, 13 peasants including five women were rescued who were set free on the directives of the court. The released persons said that they were serving as forced labourers for the last 10 years. “Besides torture, sexual harassment, we were provided substandard and least quantity of food,” the labourers said.
The police registered a case against the landlord who managed to flee on getting prior information of the action and started search for him.
ROBBERY: A villager was deprived of his motor bike and cash by three armed bandits on Khanqah Road near Mattam village last night.
According to police source, Akhtar Ali S/o Muhammad Hussain of Chak Diwanan was on way to Hafizabad city on his bike and when he reached near Mattam village three armed bandits intercepted him and snatched away his bike and cash amount of Rs. 2,000/-.
PROTEST: The shopkeepers of Kassoke Road near the wagon stand have today staged demonstration and blocked the road to protest against, what they alleged, the “unlawful” order of the Highway Department to demolish their shops. They said that they are legal owners of the shops and have not grabbed an inch of the land of Highway Department. They shouted slogans against the order of the Highway Department. After sometime, The City police SHO rushed to the spot and assured them that justice would be done towards them. On his assurance the blockade of road was cleared.