FAISALABAD-Complete shut down strike in Faisalabad on Tuesday as all the markets, shops and offices are closed

FAISALABAD-Complete shut down strike was observed here in Faisalabad on Tuesday as all the markets, shops and office were closed here against more than 18 hours electricity load shedding in Faisalabad city district. The main markets including eight bazaars around clock tower square, Satiana road, madina town and other markers were completely shutr down. However the city witnessed forceful protest demonstrations and rallies in entire city. The angry protesters burnt tires on different roads, pelted stones on the vehicles moving on the roads, Wapda offices and even at police stations. The activists at D Type colony put fire on the building of the police station Batala colony when police opened aerial indiscriminate fire and baton charged the protesters. As a result some 15 people including police men were injured as the protesters also pelted stones on police party. It was also witnessed by the Nation team a Navalti over head bridge near Samanabad that the people after stopping a moving train Pakistan express leading towards Karachi from Faisalabad railway station pelted stones on the train and with the sticks and iron rods broke the engine and bogeys of the train and targeted passengers and drivers of the train due to which some seven passengers and driver of the train were injured. The protesters also looted valuables of the passengers from the train. Railway Prem union has seriously protested against the incident and said that the driver and passengers of the train were also suffering from the hours long load shedding but why they were targeted by the protesters. Nevertheless the roads of the city were given an almost empty look as more than 905 vehicles were not commuting on the roads but the protest against the prolonged load shedding continued all the long day. Heavy police contingent was deployed in different parts of the city. The protesters and police had clashes in different areas when some 25 people were injured. Police men also sustained injuries when the protesters pelted stones on them. The protesters in different parts of the city also tried to target the Wapda offices but police offered resistance. Heavy police contingent was deputed out side and all the four corners of FESCO head quarter offices located at canal road where the protesters stormed severally but police made all their attempts foiled. The protesters also pelted stones on passenger buses and private cars. The protest against the load shedding created panic in the city as the people all day heard high pitch slogans against the government, Wapda and Asif Ali Zardari and police continued its strategy of opening indiscriminate aerial fire to disperse the angry protesters. Police have registered several cases against hundreds of people breaking the train, looting valuables and targeting police station during protest against load shedding. Laborers and power loom workers along with traders and industrial sectors have announced that if load shedding is not controlled they would continue their protest