OUR STAFF REPORTER
WAZIRABAD
Though the Punjab government claims that it has released Rs2 billion - Rs100 million for each flood-hit district to ensure rescue, relief and the rehabilitation activities but a large number of flood-affected farmers of south bank of River Chenab are still waiting for compensation.
In this connection, thousands of flood victims from dozens of flood effected villages of south bank of River Chenab staged a protest for three hours in front of the AC office here the other day.
Almost 3,000 flood effected cultivators of dozens of villages of Bella area protested. They were led by PML-N local leader Adil Iqbal Cheema in front of the AC office. They raised slogans against local administration, Patwaris and the Punjab government. The protesters alleged that cronies of local Patwaris were doling out compensation to their favourites while genuine victims had been kept away from entering the premises. They said that the administration had asked them to get registered at the Commissioner’s Office for getting compensation but despite registration they were not being given the money.
Meanwhile, the officials of AC office negotiated with the protesters and assured that their application would be sent to high ups. Later, MNA Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema and MPA Shaukat Manzoor Cheema also reached there and discussed the issue with the AC.