LAHORE: Coolies staged a demonstration on Wednesday at Lahore railway station against the indifferent attitude of the Lahore division authorities of Pakistan Railways towards what they alleged the highhandedness ofthe contractors.

A protesting coolie said the Pakistan Railways (PR) administration had last year introduced a newsystem under which they were given underthe controlofcontractors.

`We had expressed reservations about the new plan under which the divisional authorities were to free us from the exploitation at the hands of contractors.

`We have been lodging complaints against contractor Ashraf that he extorts more than the commission allowed by the railway authorities. He is also denying us the privileges promised under the new system but theauthorities paid no heed, forcing us to stage this demonstration,` said the coolie while seeking anonymity.

Lahore Divisional Superintendent Sufian Sarfraz Dogar informed the protesters that any violation of the contract with coolies would not be tolerated.

After giving a patient hearing to the protesters, he constituted a committee, headed by the divisional commercial officer of Lahore, to look into the matter.