DERA GHAZI KHAN: Health officials in Rajanpur failed to dispense polio drops to 10,420 children in the riverine areas due to security issues, it is learnt.

The three-day anti-polio campaign undertaken all over the country concluded on Wednesday.

The authorities could not cover 20 villages of five union councils in the riverine part of Rajanpur which is notorious for having crime-infested areas.

As many as 10,420 children in Shah Wali, Bangla Icha, Meeranpur, Rojhan city and Soonmiani could not get polio drops during the campaign.

After the military operation in katcha area of Rajanpur, some gangs such as Pat, Sikhani and Lound went into hiding and they recently reared their head again and started kidnap for ransom in the riverine area.

A few weeks ago, sources said, gangsters kidnapped Khidmatullah, a driver, from Indus Highway and police have yet to find a clue. They also kidnapped two contractors in the Bhong police station (Rahim Yar Khan) jurisdiction.

Rajanpur Deputy Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed told Dawn that these five union councils would be covered in the next campaign.

Commissioner (Dera Ghazi Khan) Ahmed Ali Kamboh said the five union councils of Rojhan tehsil were among those parts of the country where the anti-polio campaign was not possible for the time being.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2017