TAXILA: An investigation committee has recommended departmental and legal action against a health department official for harassing and keeping two female anti-polio workers in illegal detention.

The two workers, who were teachers from the Government Elementary School Bodo village in Wah Cantonment, complained to the assistant commissioner Taxila that their in-charge vaccinator invited them to his house on the pretext of a meeting and locked them in a room and harassed them.

As they raised alarm, the neighbours came to their rescue and freed them.

Later, the assistant commissioner formed a committee, which he himself headed, to probe the matter.

The committee found the official guilty of misuse of power and keeping the two women in illegal confinement.

The committee submitted its report to the district coordination officer (DCO) Rawalpindi recommending departmental and legal proceeding against the official. However, the official is still performing duty the area.

When contacted, the assistant commissioner, Shahid Imran, confirmed that the in-charge vaccinator had been found guilty of illegally keeping the two teachers in confinement.

He said as the DCO was the competent authority to take action against the official, the matter had been referred to him.

When contacted, Dr Abdullah, who is the in-charge of the anti-polio programme in Taxila, said the teachers had leveled allegations against the official after failing to perform their duties.

In reply to a question as to why the official was still supervising the anti-polio team despite the fact that he had been found guilty, Dr Abdullah said the official would be performing duty until an action was taken against him.