MINGORA: The residents of Marghuzar Town in Mingora here on Monday demanded of police to take action against influential drug peddlers in the area.

The residents of the area including elected representatives marched to media offices in Mingora and alleged that an influential family living in Marghuzar Town was selling all kinds of drugs openly in the area.

“The family, in disguise of artists, sells openly all kinds of drugs. A large number of youth have become drug addicts,” said Mohammad Rasool Khan, an elder of the area.

The locals said that police often took action against the family and arrested its members but the arrested people got bail from courts and restarted their illegal business. They said that the family threatened local people of dire consequences if they raised voice against its activities.

Sultan Mahmood, another elder of the area, said that no member of the family was musician or singer but it claimed to be an artist family. “We respect artists but we don’t want drug pushers to put the lives of our youth in danger,” he said.

Bakht Munir, another elder of the area, said that the family was not an artist one but drug mafia. He said that police and other relevant departments must take action against it.

However, the family rejected the allegations and said that it entertained visitors by singing and dancing.

DSP Habibullah Khan said that two members of the family were arrested after they were caught red-handed selling drugs in the area. “Police arrested a male and a female member of the family for selling heroin and ice in the area. They are under watch and if found selling drugs again police will take strict legal action against them,” he said.

Meanwhile a five year-old girl was killed when a speeding mini-truck hit her in Galoch village of Kabal tehsil. Police registered case against the driver after arresting him.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2017