Lahore: The Lahore police thrashed the farmers here on Wednesday who were on sit in to get their demands met by the Punjab government for increase in wheat and sugarcane support price.
The farmers had gathered at Thokar Niaz Baig Lahore for a sit in to protest against the Pakistan Teheek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for not announcing minimum support price of wheat and sugarcane crops.
The PTI government had not announced minimum support price of wheat despite repeated calls from the farming community and now finally the farmers have taken to the streets to press the authorities for accepting their demands.
The Buzdar government used force against the farmers who were on peaceful sit in at Thokar Niaz Baig.
The farmers were beaten and baton charged by the Lahore police on the direction of Hafeezur Rehman, Superintendent Police Saddar, Lahore. The police officer ordered his force to get the farmers dispersed by using cannon guns and tear gassing.
The farmers also pelted stones on the police when it resorted to the use of cannon guns and tear gassing to get them dispersed . This resulted in clashes between the police and farmers turning Thokar Niaz Baig into a battlefield.
The police force also arrested a large number of farmers during the clashes.
The opposition deplored the use of police force against peaceful farmers and demanded immediate release of arrested farmers.
