SIALKOT, Aug 3: The Kotwali police on Wednesday registered several cases against 64 supporters of candidates for the local-body election for violation of code of conduct. The cases have been registered under the wall-chalking act. Meanwhile, the administrations and police in Sialkot and Narowal have launched a campaign against violations of the election code of conduct by erasing wall-chalking and removing banners, posters and flags of parties.

Special teams of law enforcers also took into custody badges, stickers and other material publicizing the candidates for the local polls from their places. The campaign was launched in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Bhopalwala, Uggoki, Satrah, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Kot Nainaan, Noorkot, Baddo Malhi, Narowal and several other areas.

According to sources, the election commission had taken a strict notice of news reports revealing gross violations of election code of conduct by the candidates. It asked the administrations of the two districts to take stern action against the violators and remove all publicity material.

The election commission also asked the sitting parliamentarians both from the treasury and opposition benches to refrain from campaigning and violating the code. Sialkot District Police Officer Usama Mumtaz Raja told journalists that the police had removed election banners, posters, giant photos and other electoral material during a special operation conducted on the orders of the provincial government.

SUGAR CRISIS: Sugar mills in Sialkot and Narowal have stopped supplying the product to the markets in the wake of a stern action by district administrations against the mills and their dealers.