GILGIT, Feb 21: Five more people were arrested for their suspected involvement in torching and bombing of nine primary schools in Diamer district, Northern Areas police chief said.

IGP Sakhiullah Tareen told newsmen on Saturday that the administration had arranged negotiations with notables in the Diamer district to arrest more suspects.

He said all the 21 detained suspects belonged to outlawed religious organizations.

He said there was no proper security system for the 118 community schools set up in the district under the Social Action Programme. There were not even watchmen at those schools, he added.

The police chief said they had proposed appointment of watchmen and teaching staff as these schools were without any staff to look after the property.

In reply to a question, he said they had sent over 500 police personnel to Diamer.

APP adds: The district magistrate of Gilgit has enforced Section 144 of the CrPc in the district with immediate effect for two months.