LAKKI MARWAT: Bannu district police officer Imran Shahid on Saturday suspended six lady police constables for refusing to get vaccinated against coronavirus.

An official said the suspended policewomen included Riffat Sohail, Rukhsana, Ruhida, Ruqayya, Zakia Rehman and Gulshan. He said the policewomen had been sent to the police lines.

“The district police chief has also stopped salaries of the suspended constables,” he added.

VACCINATION DRIVE EXPEDITED: The Lakki Marwat district administration has increased the number of vaccination centres, and also launched a mass awareness campaign to sensitise people to the importance of inoculation against the pandemic, claimed an official on Saturday.

He said around 3,000 citizens were receiving jabs at the centres daily, adding the number of vaccinated citizens would increase with the establishment of more vaccination campsites in the district.

He said the administration with the support of the health department had set up vaccination centres in the Lakki city, at the District Headquarters Hospital, Tajazai, the Government City Hospital Lakki, in Category-D hospitals in Tajori and Titterkhel and rural health centres in Ahmadkhel, Wanda Shahabkhel, Landiwah and Serai Gambila.

He said vaccination centres had also been established in 22 basic health units across the district.

Anti-encroachment drive protested: Teachers and students of a religious seminary took out a procession in Bannu city on Saturday to protest the administration action against encroachments.

They gathered near the press club building after passing through various bazaars. Speaking on the occasion, the seminary’s administrator Hafiz Ahmad said that the religious institution had been built in 1948 on the land, which was acquired from Auqaf department on rent.

He said that some elements had also conspired against the madressah in the past to get it demolished, but they failed.

“The anti-encroachment drive launched by the local administration has deprived many families of livelihood opportunities,” Mr Ahmad said, adding they would not let the administration to raze the seminary on the pretext of anti-encroachment operation.

Commenting on the situation, an official of the district administration said that the religious seminary was situated in Khasra 71 and 72 and the total area in Khasra 72 was four kanals and 10 marlas.

He claimed that over 13-marla land had been mutated to the seminary while rest of 3 kanals and 10 marlas was that of a road. He said illegal structures built along Mandan Canal were being removed on the court orders.

The official, however, said that no seminary would be demolished without the consultation of local ulema.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2021