MANSEHRA: The local lady health workers and their supervisors, after the killing of their two colleagues in Tuesday’s attack, decided to boycott anti-polio campaigns till provision of complete security to them.

Two female health workers and a police guard were shot dead by militants in mountainous Danna area of the district on Tuesday when they were vaccinating children.

The funeral prayers of both the health workers -- Sattara Gul and Kaniz Nurgis – were offered in Sheikabad area. A large number of people including health employees took part in the funeral prayers.

Deputy Commissioner Aamer Khattak, who also attended the funeral prayers, told journalists that the ongoing polio campaign in the district was postponed till further orders. He said that the decision was taken in a meeting, which was also attended by District Health Officer Dr Sardar Bashir.

Mr Khattak said that provincial government had also announced Rs1 million each for the families of the killed health workers and employment to one family member of both the victims. “We put off the anti-polio drive till next orders for the protection of polio workers,” he asid.

The funeral prayers of policeman Mohammad Mushtaq, who was also shot dead in the attack, were offered in Lassan Nawab area of the district.

LHWs and policeman killed in Tuesday’s attack laid to rest

Dr Sardar Bashir told journalists that the district had remained peaceful for the polio workers. He said that district committee for polio eradication would decide when the next round of polio drive could take place.

The health workers have announced three-day mourning over the killing of their colleagues.

Following the funeral prayers of their killed colleagues, lady health workers and their supervisors gathered at district health offices and announced that they would not perform polio duty until complete protection was provided to them.

The LHWs, who had gathered from across the district, sought Shuhadda Package for the families of both the victims and job for their kin.

Speaking on the occasion, district president of Paramedical Association Khalid Khan said that the government should change the way of door-to-door vaccination and establish fixed centres for the purpose.

TEACHERS: The education department terminated services of 68 women teachers after a high level committee found that their appointments were made in violation of rules and criteria.

“I have sacked 68 female teachers by the orders of education secretary as their appointments were made against the rules and criteria,” said DEO Naghmana Sardar.

She said that the teachers who, were terminated on the recommendations of a high level committee, were also hurling threats at her. She said that sacked teachers were appointed in 2011 and 2012 by the then district education officer Umer Khan Kundi in violation of rules and criteria.

The DEO said that the committee, which was headed by Syed Hidayat Jan, the special secretary of agriculture department, also advised Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to remove Mr Kundi from his service.

The official said that the vacant posts of teachers were being filled to ensure imparting quality education to girl students in the district.

Published in Dawn March 19th , 2015

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