Protest against power cut turns violent in Multan

Joseph Borawski, Sunday April 15^th, 2008, 1:42 AM, Global Social Protests Current Event

Protest against power cut turns violent in Multan

In Multan, Islamabad, hundreds of people protested against daily power outages, going on a rampage which involved the burning of public and private property and torching vehicles. During the protest and ensuing riot, Police lobbed tear gas and charged with batons charged to try to gain control of the mob, making a number of arrests. The protest and riot was spurred on after works from the power-loom factories took out a procession in Multan, which is located in the cotton-growing region of the province. Two offices were set alight by the crowd which was owned by the power company, also a bank and several vehicles were caught up in the riot, and also at least four of the company’s officials were beaten badly by the protesters.

Daily wage workers employed by hundreds of power-loom units have economically suffered due to loss of work force because of power cuts. This is the primary cause of the protests and riots, as people have been unable to do their jobs, their ability to make money in the economy has been severely damaged, because there are fewer hours that they can work, and fewer employees are needed to cover fewer jobs. This situation presents the prospect of a difficult summer season for the area as there is little the government can immediately do to mend the problem. Currently they are asking their citizens to remain patient during the planned power cuts. Hopefully that will be enough, though with the recent events I some how doubt it.

Check it out here:

http://www.gulfnews.com/world/Pakistan/10205736.html