Better sense needed

Sir: According to news reports, hundreds of locals have been staging protests against a Polish oil company in Kachho area of Dadu district for the last four days but instead of standing with these people, the Sindh government has issued house arrest orders for the man who is leading the protest.

The protesters argue that for the last eight years, they have been asking the company’s representatives to provide them with jobs and construct a small track of road but to no avail. The protesters allege that outsiders are employed but locals are being deprived of jobs. It is a fact that no attention is given to the problems of peaceful protesters and in the majority of cases court orders are not implemented. District police say that they have received orders and will arrest the protesters. There have been reports about clashes between the police and protesters and the situation is getting out of control. Protest leader Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind says that he would continue to lead the peaceful protest.
The company backed by the ruling party is creating a negative perception of these protests, while the protesters argue that during their eight years’ protest, they have remained peaceful and they intend no harm to anybody including the oil company. But the Polish company with the full backing of vested interests is trying its best to incite peaceful protesters to violence.
Naturally people residing near this Sindh-Balochistan border area hold their tribal leaders in great reverence and if the Sindh government tries to use force, there is a possibility of violence from the other side. The best way for the Sindh government and Polish company is that they must give a serious ear to the legitimate demands of the locals. This area, after experiencing the worst kind of law and order situation during the late 80s and 90s, is now largely peaceful. The development of Gorakh hill station has created livelihood opportunities for local people to some extent. The Sindh government should act sensibly and resolve the matter as soon as possible.
GULSHER PANHWER
Johi