HYDERABAD, May 23: Activists of the Taraqqi Pasand Hari Sangat staged a demonstration here on Tuesday against landlords of Tando Mohammad Khan for their alleged excesses against farmers.

Speaking at a protest rally held in front of the Hyderabad Press Club, Sarang Unnar, Laung Shaikh, Somar Bheel and others alledged that landlords of Tando Mohammad Khan were expelling farmers from their land. The farmers had been working there for over 25 years, they added.

They alleged that the Talpurs had got arrested a farmer, Faqir Mohammad Naro. No one had been allowed to meet him, the protesters said.

The protesters demanded protection for farmers and release of Faqir Mohammad Naro.

DEMAND: The All Hyderabad Hotel and Sheermal Association has demanded that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) should issue correct bills and withdraw its demand for additional security money from hotels.

In a joint statement issued here on Tuesday, association president Shahzad Umer, vice-president, Haji Ghaffar, general secretary Salahuddin and other office-bearers said that over 980 hotel owners of Hyderabad had deposited Rs250 million as security with the SSGC. They were also paying Rs10 million gas bills per month to the gas company, the president said.

They alleged that some officials of the company had started harassing the hostel owners and issued them notices to deposit Rs10,000-35,000 as additional security or face disconnections.