November 01, 2007	Thursday	Shawwal 19, 1428

UPPER DIR, Oct 31: Law and order situation in the area, particularly the ongoing fighting in Swat, dominated a session of the Upper Dir district council held here on Wednesday.

Convener Azizul Haq presided over the session.

Dislawar union council Nazim Razaullah called upon the government to take action for arresting violence in Swat.

“People are concerned by bomb blasts and the government’s eroding writ in Swat, but the authorities have failed to control the situation,” he said.He alleged that former ministers, MNAs and MPAs were still enjoying protocol by Levies guards which was illegal.

He said that Levies personnel should be assigned the duty of patrolling bazaars and streets to maintain the law and order situation.

He also suggested that peace committees be formed at the UC level to increase liaison between people and the administration.

Taking part in the debate, Mr Bakhtzada said: “Our district has been peaceful so far, but growing unrest in Swat may grip it. Militants can sneak into the district.”

“Those beheading soldiers cannot be Muslims. We strongly condemn the callous act,” said Noor Mohammad.

Mr Sanaullah said the deployment of scouts in Upper Dir could provoke militants in the district.

The council members criticised the local government for allegedly distributing Baitul Maal cards on political basis.

“Poor and deserving people have been deprived of financial assistance provided by Baitul Maal,” Bakht Zada alleged.

He said that all 6,000 cards should be cancelled and new cards be issued to the needy people so the fund was used for the purpose it was established for.

Mr Noor Mohammad threatened to take people of his union council to road in protest if transporters did not stop charging high fares.

He alleged that Rs0.2 million was released in papers for water supply to the Darora bazaar area from the MPA fund, but had not been used there.

He called for a probe into the malpractice to expose the culprits.