MANSEHRA: The police have arrested seven people and booked 28 for taking out a Muharram procession in College Doraha area here without the administration’s approval.

Deputy superintendent of police Bashir Khan told reporters here on Wednesday that the administration had approved Muharram processions and majalis in consultation with Shia and Sunni scholars and issued their schedule but 35 people took out a procession on their own, so they were booked under PPC.

He said the police were to provide security to processions and if they’re taken out without permission, a law and order situation could occur.

The DSP said search for other suspects was under way.

Meanwhile, the excise and taxation department has sealed a tea processing plant over the failure of a multinational company, which operates it, to pay Rs2.5 million professional tax.

“We served several notices on the company for tax payment, but to no avail, and therefore, the plant was sealed,” district excise and taxation officer Hamar Khan Jadoon told reporters on Wednesday.

He said the plant would be allowed to resume operation only after dues were cleared.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2020