MANSEHRA: The police briefly arrested nine people, including a bridegroom, and sent one to jail during a raid on a wedding function in Pulrah area on Friday night for violating the ban on gatherings to contain spread of Covid-19.

“We have booked 10 people and seized an unlicensed Kalashnikov being used for firing in the air during a wedding ceremony being held in breach of the Section 144,” senior sub-inspector Munzoor Khan told reporters on Saturday.

Nine of the arrested people, including the groom, were released on bail, and one person involved in firing in the air with the unlicensed Kalashnikov was sent to jail, he said.

The official said when the police raided the wedding party, transgender persons were also performing there. “The police took three transgender persons to police station but later set them free,” Mr Khan said.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020