Fazilka, May 4

A large number of shopkeepers staged a protest at the Pipalwala Chowk in Jalalabad town today protesting curbs imposed by the Punjab Government.

As some shopkeepers opened their businesses in the morning, police contingents forced them to shut these. Enraged, shopkeepers then staged a sit-in at the chowk.

Sham Lal, a shopkeepers said they had to pay staff, power bills, bank instalments, interests on loans and other expenses, and were hardly able to make both ends meet.

Jalalabad DSP Palvinder Singh said the shopkeepers later lifted their dharna. They would meet civil administration officials in this regard.

Fazilka Beopar Mandal president Ashok Gulbadhar condemned the decision to impose a mini-lockdown. — OC

Beopar mandal chief gheraoed

Muktsar: A large number of shopkeepers on Tuesday gheraoed Beopar Mandal president Inderjit on the Bank Road here, accusing him of supporting the move to impose restrictions. Inderjit said he would meet the SDM and seek relaxation for shopkeepers. TNS