SWABI: Work on Maini Bridge is in full swing as Topi tehsil government wants completion of the project before start of the monsoon season, according to sources.

They said that tehsil government allocated Rs5million for the project as the bridge would connect Maini union council with tehsil headquarters Topi, Jhanda region and district headquarters.

Sources said that tehsil nazim Sohail Khan Yousafzai, a resident of Maini union council, directed the contractor to complete the project as soon as possible. Trade activities in the area will remain disturbed if the bridge is not constructed before the monsoon season.

The workers said that they worked for the whole night in Ramazan. The traders said that in the absence of the bridge rainwater in monsoon usually entered into houses and shops, completely crippling the business activities and blocking movement of people and vehicles.

BAN: DPO Syed Khalid Hamdani has said celebratory firing during Eidul Fitr moon sighting has been banned completely.

He told journalists that a full-fledged campaign for the purpose was launched on Thursday. He said that the campaign would continue till Eid.

The SHO of every police station would be responsible for maintaining law and order in his area. The local people have also been urged to extend support to police in this regard.

Officials said that anyone found firing in the air would be dealt with iron hand.

Meanwhile, the district administration distributed Rs1 million cheques among the families affected by the recent thunderstorm and torrential rains.

The affected people were given cheques at gathering held at the office of deputy commissioner. Iftikhar Khan and Humayoon Khan, who lost their daughters when their houses collapsed, were given Rs 0.3 million each. Four persons got Rs100,000 each for their damaged houses.

SUICIDE: Osama Khan, 17, committed suicide here on Thursday, said police.

They said that he consumed poisonous pills after exchanging hot words with his mother over some domestic issue. He was taken to tehsil headquarters hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

Meanwhile, an Afghan refugee Sherin Gul drowned when a transport vehicle fell into Gohati Canal on Thursday.

Also, two persons were injured when their motorbikes collided with each other on Swabi-Jehangira Road. They were taken to district headquarters hospital.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2019