CHARSADDA, July 28: The residents of densely-populated Utmanzai area of Charsadda have demanded immediate restoration of the municipal town committee, Utmanzai, which was shut down in December last year by the previous Awami National Party-led government.

Later, the entire staff of the town committee was transferred to the district council, Charsadda, sources said.

In the absence of municipal staff there has been no proper system of cleanliness in Utmanzai and the area is dotted by heaps of garbage. The chocked drainage system, stinking smell and heaps of wastes in the area have become a constant nuisance for the residents.

The residents said that during last six months nobody came to lift garbage. They feared spread of various diseases if the authorities didn’t heed to their request.

The residents complained that the 40-year old town committee was wrapped up without announcing any alternative arrangements by the previous government.

When contacted, district council’s chief municipal officer Mian Anisur Rehman said that the district government did not have enough funds and staff for cleaning all streets of the district. He said that legally they were not bound to clean the streets of Utmanzai.

The residents demanded immediate restoration of the town committee to ensure cleanliness in the area. —Correspondent