KASUR, April 11: Frustrated by endless energy woes, thousands of people, mostly industrialists, traders and workers, on Wednesday resorted to violent protests in various parts of the province.

A number of powerloom workers, shoe-makers and tannery workers took to Ferozepur Road to protest loadshedding which has rendered them jobless.

The protesters ransacked private property, including cars, vans, electricity meters, lights and billboards.

A group of protesters reportedly injured a boy who was returning home from his school near Adda Luliani. Traffic on one of the busiest roads connecting Kasur with Lahore remained in disarray, with the protesters using traditional tools like burnt tyres and clubs. The police preferred to stay away from the protesters.

Led by former district naib nazim Maqsood Sabir, the protesters gathered at the railway station and forced the shopkeepers on Railway Road to keep shutters down.

Traders from Kot Murad Khan and Basti Vanika also joined them. The protesters also ransacked the main gate of PML-N MPA Naeem Safdar`s office on Shahbaz Road.

They blocked the road to traffic near the DHQ Hospital and damaged a car (LEE9412) and three vans at the new bus terminal. They also uprooted plants on the greenbelt, tore apart advertisement boards of PML-N leaders and also injured a girl sitting in a rickshaw by throwing empty bottles on the three-wheeler.

The ex-naib nazim said he was representing the masses and not any political party.He urged the protesters to remain peaceful and calm, and condemned the ransacking of private property.

He alleged that `some mischievous elements had resorted to violence at the behest of the PML-N.` He demanded that Lesco authorities announce power outages schedule. The protesters dispersed on the assurance of Lesco officials that six-hour outages would be observed.

FAISALABAD: Traders of three bazaars of Samundri kept their shops closed for three hours against the outages as they took out a rally and blocked traffic on Faisalabad Road.

The strike call was given by the Pakistan Tehrik-iInsaaf`s Samundri chapter.

Shopkeepers of Katchery, Qasim and Chalci bazaars observed strike from 9am to 12pm. The traders, along with PTI activists and people from other walks of life, gathered at Thana Chowk on Gojra Road and headed towards the Fesco sub-division (Samundri).

Carrying banners and placards, the protesters chanted slogans against the federal government and demanded smooth supply of electricity.

They dispersed after talks with Fesco authorities.

SHEIKHUPURA: Scores of people blocked GT Road near Rachna Town for two hours.

The protesters, mostly labourers, students and farmers, staged a sit-in and chanted slogans against the government. A skirmish between the Ferozewala police and some protesters erupted.

Later, the protesters pelted the Lesco office with stones, forcing the entire staff to flee.

The security guards, however, prevented them from entering the building.

Rana Usman, the president of a labour union, said protests against loadshedding would continue.