SADIQABAD, Dec 16: A councillor allegedly deprived a farmer of Rs150,000 by claiming to be acting on behalf of the police.

Muhammad Yaqoob, a resident of Bahanwala village, alleged that Muhammad Kabir, the peasants’ representative in the union council, had obtained Rs150,000 from him to initiate police action against rivals, Muhammad Bux and others. Despite several reminders, he said, there had been no progress. When he demanded that the money should be returned, he said, the councillor, who had earlier assured him the money had been handed over the DSP and the Liaquat Pur SHO, threatened him with dire consequences.

The district Nazim has ordered an inquiry.

NO MAGISTRATE: A large number of cases of traffic violations are pending on account of the government’s failure to appoint a special judicial magistrate in the city. Those charged with petty crimes and minor violations, too, have to be produced before a court at Rahim Yar Khan.