UPPER DIR: Paramedics and Class-IV employees on Saturday went on a strike across the district to protest torture of two colleagues by the elite force personnel in tehsil headquarters hospital, Brawal.

The demonstrations were organised in Brawal, Dir, Usheri Dara, Wari and other areas. The main demonstration was held in Brawal where hundreds of paramedics and class-IV workers demonstrated against the incident.

The protesters said the elite force personnel beat up their colleagues, Javid and Sadiq, at the gate of the Brawal hospital. They said the personnel also did not allow the two workers to enter the hospital.

The protesters alleged that police had not registered FIR against the erring personnel, and demanded formation of an impartial inquiry committee to probe the matter. They also demanded suspension of the three elite police personnel till completion of the investigation.

Later, a jirga convinced the protesters to end the strike as an inquiry committee had been formed to investigate the incident.

However, the protesters gave a 10-day deadline for action against the personnel, otherwise, they would again come onto the roads.

FORESTS: Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Usman Mehsud has called for the community’s role in protecting the forests.

He was speaking at a ceremony as the chief guest in Hill Park to launch the spring plantation drive. The local forest department organised the ceremony.

Divisional forest officer Moqtada Shah, Assistant Commissioner, Dir, Asif Ali, sub-divisional forest officer Sahibzada Ihsanuddin and local elders were present on the occasion.

The deputy commissioner said due to lack of forests weather patterns had changed, causing floods and dry spells. He said forests could also help promote tourism in the district.

Mr Mehsud said timber smuggling in the district would not be allowed, and the smugglers would be dealt with an iron hand.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2017