SWABI: People of Pajman area of Gadoon Amazai on Wednesday forcibly stopped work on the construction of Kundal Dam here, but later ended the agitation after assurance by PTI leaders that they would be paid compensation by March 22.

Sources in the district administration told Dawn that PTI leaders led by MNA Aqibullah Khan and district police officials, including DSP Ashar Shah, rushed to the spot after knowing that the people had stopped work on the project, and held negotiations with the protesters.

They assured the protesters, led by elders Ghulam Farooq and Farman Ali, that their concerns would be taken up with the authorities for redress. After the assurance, the people ended the protest and allowed the construction activities to resume, said the sources.

Officials in the revenue department disclosed that there was about 700 kanals of land in the name of one person, saying the other people had filed a writ petition in court against him, claiming the ownership of the land. The official said the revenue department was waiting for the court verdict, and after that payments would be made to the landowners.

The dam would consume a total of 1,900 kanal of land.

However, the PTI leaders told the relevant officials to leave aside the disputed piece of land, and make payments for the remaining portion of the land till March 22.

CENSUS TRAINING: The training for the staff of the upcoming population census concluded on Wednesday.

Officials said the Swabi district had been included in the first phase of the population and housing census starting on March 15. They said training had been imparted to the staff in various groups.

They said two blocks would be covered by one enumerator accompanied by one soldier, adding the enumerators and supervisors had been appointed from different departments, especially education.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2017