BAJAUR: Traders and transporters of Khar town here on Sunday held a protest demonstration against the district administration for arresting scores of their colleagues and sealing of shops over alleged violation of the lockdown imposed to prevent spread of coronavirus.

The protest was held when a group of senior officials of the district administration was inspecting implementation of the ongoing nine-day lockdown in Khar Bazaar and sealed a number of shops besides arresting several traders and transporters for not following the restrictions.

The protesters also blocked the main Bajaur-Peshawar highway to traffic briefly.

They claimed that besides sealing shops and detaining scores of shopkeepers and drivers the officials also used abusive language for the traders and transporters and beat some of them during the action to implement the lockdown forcibly.

Moreover, the protesters alleged that the officials got national identity cards and mobile phone sets from several traders and transporters when they refused to pay the fines.

District administration vows to implement lockdown

The traders ended their protest when a team of administration officials met with their leaders and assured them to address their concerns instantly.

Meanwhile, according to a statement issued from the DC office, the district administration on Sunday sealed about eight shops in various bazaars and arrested several vendors and transporters for violating the ongoing lockdown.

Besides arresting some vendors and transporters, a number of violators have also been fined on the spot.

RED CRESCENT DAY: The local chapter of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) here celebrated the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day to pay tribute to its volunteers and people from different segments of the society for their contribution against the Covid pandemic.

A ceremony in this regard was held by PRCS local chapter in Khar on Saturday evening which was attended by at least 30 people from different segments of the society.

A group of volunteers and PRCS officials, including district secretary Tariq Zaman, programme officer Javid Khan and Shah Khalid were also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2021