MURREE: A protest demonstration was held by locals of Union Council Darya Galli against the spread of lethal weapons in the area.

A man identified as Mohammad Aquil was recently killed and five others were injured during an exchange of gunfire between two groups over a land dispute.

According to the protesters, including former UC Nazim Abid Husssain Abbasi, Al-Khidmat Foundation representative Waqar Mansuri and Sardar Masood Abbasi: “Rural areas of Murree were very peaceful and petty issues were largely settled through jirgas but since the last few years illegal weapons have been found in the area and use of weapons has become common, which is dangerous and has created fear among residents.”

They demanded that a thorough search operation should be conducted by the army and all kinds of weapons must be removed to restore peace in the area.

Last year, three people were killed by a gang. The gang members were killed by police in an encounter which spread a wave of fear in the area, they added.

The protesters had blocked Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir Highway but after negotiation with Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Waqas Khan, theroad was opened.

Talking to Dawn, ASP Waqas said: “Murree police have registered a case against the suspects and teams are raiding and making all-out efforts through the use of technology to arrest them.”

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2020