MANSEHRA, May 17: The candidates, appearing in test and interview for the posts of police constables, stormed the office of Torghar administrator and blocked Oghi-Battagram Road to force the government for relaxing appointment rules for the residents of the new district.

“As literacy rate in Torghar is hardly five to six per cent, the government should relax appointment rules to fill 300 posts of police constables,” said an elder of the area. Hundreds of the candidates stormed the office of administrator and broke furniture, windowpanes and doors there. They also chanted slogans against government.

The protesters dispersed and blocked Oghi-Battagram Road when heavy contingent of police reached there. The protesting candidates burned tyres and blocked the road for more than three hours.

Speaking on the occasion, the elders of the area and candidates alleged that provincial government deviated from its commitment as no relaxation was being given to them in appointments. They said that they would never accept the condition of matriculation for appointment as police constable.

They said that educational qualification for appointment as constable should be brought down to primary level so that youngsters of the area could be inducted in police force.

MNA Laiq Mohammad Khan, Hazara Commissioner Khalid Khan and DIG Dr Mohammad Naeem Khan rushed to Oghi and held negotiations with the elders of the area. They made it clear that in the first phase candidates having qualification of matriculation would be appointed in police. “If the seats remain vacant then other options can be considered,” they added.

They assured the elders that people belonging to Torghar would be appointed in police and other departments.

“You people first sign the domicile and provide evidence that the person concerned is resident of the area. How you can blame government employees for issuing domiciles to outsiders,” the commissioner said when elders raised objections about fake domiciles.

He said that they should show patience as thousands of people would be appointed to run affairs of the new district.

The district administration of Torghar advertised posts of police constables and candidates were gathered to appear in test and interview.

SUICIDE: A woman committed suicide by jumping into the Kunhar River in Battle Naran area of Kaghan valley on Tuesday.

Following the incidents announcement was made from mosque loudspeakers, requesting people to fish out the body of the woman, identified as wife of Mohammad Akbar.

Police said that divers were trying to fish out the body. They said that so far the reason behind the incident could not be ascertained.