LAHORE, Dec 27: The City District Government of Lahore claimed on Thursday to have arrested eight fake spiritual healers for looting people.

Addressing a press conference, the district coordination officer said since a massive crackdown was launched in this regard, respective town administrations had got FIRs registered under Section 420 against those involved in looting the public.

“The crackdown will continue until the elimination of this swindling business. Citizens must beware of these people’s activities and avoid contacting them,” he said.

The DCO said all nine towns had been directed to conduct the operation without discrimination. He said the fake pirs had also been warned to either stop their illegal business or face the music.

ARRANGEMENTS: The CDGL directed the officials concerned to complete arrangements for peaceful observation of the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh.

In a meeting, the CDGL administration was told as many as 100 CCTV cameras would be installed at sensitive points along the chehlum procession’s route.

The meeting was also told the officials of Wasa, LWMC, Rescue 1122, Health Department, police, traffic, Gas, Tepa, Lesco and TMAs had been asked to prepare their arrangement plans and submit to the CDGL in two days.

The meeting also sought installation of walkthrough gates at entry points of the chehlum procession and at the Urs venue.

KATCHI ABADIS: Commissioner Jawad Rafique Malik sought a detailed report on katchi abadis and directed the DCOs of Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib to submit their reports to him by Jan 4.

In a meeting, he said according to the CM’s announcement, efforts were under way to regularise katchi abadis by awarding ownership rights to the residents.

REPORT: Price control magistrates imposed fines worth Rs12.7 million on shopkeepers for overcharging and hoarding of essential items during 2012.

According to a report, the officials also got 1,117 FIRs registered against 1,066 shopkeepers in this regard.

Similarly, the officials of Weight and Measurement Department conducted 34,567 raids at several shops and imposed a fine of Rs857,560 on several shopkeepers.

Meat inspectors also conducted 500 raids at butchers’ shops and imposed fines worth Rs469,500 for selling substandard meat through illegal slaughtering. They also got around 1,738 FIRs registered against butchers in this regard, the report stated. Drug inspectors during surprise visits sealed 255 medical stores besides sending 450 cases of various stores to the Quality Control Board for further action.

They also imposed fines worth Rs3.4 million on different store owners. The officials collected Rs159,500 as fine and got 35 FIRs lodged against shopkeepers for selling substandard edible items at Sunday Bazaars. They also cancelled 45 stall licences in this regard.

The report stated the CDGL got cases registered against 505 citizens for not cooperating with the district administration in the anti-dengue campaign.

It also sealed 45 factories, 79 junkyards, 22 tyre shops, 20 warehouses, three workshops and 16 other points during the drive for violating rules. — Staff Reporter