MINGORA, Oct 24: A prisoner in the Saidu Sharif jail has appealed to the government and the judiciary to take steps for the safety of his family and for the arrest of the killers of his younger brother Khalid Bacha and cousin Umer Zada.

In a written statement given to newsmen on Sunday, Gul Bacha, resident of Banai Dara in Shangla district, stated that he had been in the prison because of his implication allegedly in false cases registered by his opponents.

"I am fighting a legal battle from behind the bars and my opponents have now targeted my family members, especially women and children," he said.

He referred to the killing of his 10-year-old brother Khalid Bacha and cousin Umer Zada by his opponents and stated that the police had not arrested the killers.

He said his opponents had occupied his property, taken away his household items and forced his family to leave its house.

He said the women and children of his family were looking for a shelter after being forced out of their house but the authorities were reluctant to take action in this regard.

He appealed to the governor, the chief minister, the inspector-general of police and the chief secretary of the province and the prime minister to issue orders for the arrest of the killers and protection of his family.