OKARA, May 16: A police sub-inspector, along with two constables, was taken hostage by the tenants of military farms villages after arrest of a tenant teacher, who was later released by the police. According to tenant leader Muhammad Aslam Baloch of 15/4L village, an education department officer called a tenant teacher Muhammad Abbas Mujahid to his office, and allegedly handed him over to Shahbore police SHO Javid Khan, who took the teacher to some unknown place.

On receiving the information about the teacher’s arrest, the villagers took hostage Sub-Inspector Muhammad Younis and two constables, who were on duty at the village.

Soon after, dozens of tenants, including women, blocked Shahbore link road in protest.

On a radio message, a heavy police contingent and other law-enforcing agencies rushed to the site and held dialogue with the enraged tenants.

Later, the tenants set free the police officials on the assurance given by acting DPO Adnan Aamir that the arrested teacher would also be released. The police, after the release of their colleagues, set free the teacher.

Mr Baloch claimed that an arrested tenant leader Haji Muhammad Latif was detained for three months at Sahiwal central jail.

Okara DPO: District Police Officer Syed Zafar Abbas Bokhari on Monday relinquished the charge of his office.

He has been transferred to Khanewal. SP (Investigation) Adnan Amir has assumed the charge of acting Okara DPO till Khanewal District Police Officer Dr Jameel, who has been posted here, comes here probably after a week.

Mr Bokhari’s transfer came in the wake of the May 2 incident when Defence Minister Rao Sikander Iqbal had slapped him during the visit of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to Okara.

Reports said Mr Bokhari had been transferred two days before the prime minister’s visit. However, the Punjab government had entrusted him with the task of security arrangements for the visit. After the incident, the chief minister had directed him to continue performing his duties while the defence minister reportedly pressed for his transfer.

ZAKAT COUNCIL: Provincial zakat council member Prof Muhammad Nasim Cheema said action would be taken against chairmen of local zakat committees for distributing zakat among the non-deserving.