SHANGLA/MANSEHRA: Residents of Shangla district blocked the Karakoram Highway at Bisham Chowk on Sunday against the murder of district education officer of the neighbouring Kolai-Palas district the other day.

People of Chakesar, the native town of late DEO Nawab Ali; Alpuri, Shahpur and other parts of Bisham tehsil staged the protest by placing the slain official’s body on the main artery.

Nawab Ali was found dead at his official residence in Palas area of Kolai-Palas Kohistan district on Saturday evening.

The people blocked the KKH upon arrival of the body from Kohistan, chanting slogans against a jirga, an MPA and police for terming the case as a suicide, which was later negated in the autopsy report of the victim.

Bakht Alam, PML-N district general secretary, while addressing the demonstrators, said killing of a brave, devoted and kind officer was tantamount to terrorism.

Sher Alam Khan, local JUI-F leader, warned that if the Kolai-Palas administration failed to arrest the culprits within 24 hours they would block all the roads leading to the district, including the KKH.

He claimed that Nawab Ali was murdered for not adhering to the orders of local MPA on appointment of Class-IV employees.

The road remained blocked for five hours. After DPO Shangla Malak Ijaz assured them that he had talked to the Kohistan authorities and that culprits involved in the Nawab Ali’s murder would be arrested soon, the protesters dispersed.

Later, the funeral prayer of the assassinated DEO was offered in his native Chakesar town.

Soon after the funeral, Shangla notables, teachers’ associations and youth decided to block the KKH against the murder and non-registration of FIR of the case.

They also decided to hold a jirga with Kohistan elders to seek arrest of the culprits.

Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmad, district police officer Kolai-Palas, told reporters on Sunday that Mr Ali, whose body was found at his official residence adjacent to his office, was moved to hospital where medico-legal proceedings proved that he was assassinated.

“Mr Ali received two bullets,” said Mr Ahmad.

Nawab Ali, according to police, was getting ready to leave his official residence for his native Chakasar area in Shangla, when he was shot dead.

“We have initiated an inquiry and soon those involved in the killing will be taken to justice,” said the Kolai-Palas DPO.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2019