MANSEHRA: The district administration ordered closure of over a hundred government and private schools in five union councils (UCs) of Mansehra on Sunday following abrupt spike in coronavirus cases.

The affected union councils include Baffa, Tarangri Sabir Shah, Sand-i-Sar, Attershisha and Balakot.

“All public and private schools in these five union councils will remain closed for 10 days from Aug 9 after surge in positive cases,” deputy commissioner Dr Qasim Ali Khan said in an order issued here.

The order has been addressed to the DPO, district health officer, district education officers (male and female), TMOs and other relevant departments to ensure closure of the schools.

The assistant commissioners of Balakot, Mansehra and Baffa-Pakhal have been asked to deploy the revenue staff and Tiger Force for enforcement of the restrictions.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE: People of Judbah here on Sunday alleged that Rs7 million funds meant for the repair Judbah-Kabalgram suspension bridge were being embezzled and asked the government to take notice of the matter and ensure proper use of the funds.

“The contractor is hand in glove with the officials of the communication and works department as he is merely replacing the broken pieces of iron stringson sides of the bridge to misappropriate the funds,” Abdul Waheed, a resident of the area, claimed while talking to mediapersons here.

The residents said the suspension bridge was built by the PML-N governmental on the Indus River to link Torghar with Shangla and Malakand division in 2011, but it was now in a dilapidated condition.

“We have taken up this issue with the communication and works department, but to no avail,” Mr Waheed said.

The residents urged Chief Minister Mahmood Khan to take notice of the matter and order the relevant authorities to ensure proper repair of the bridge.

SEARCH OPERATION: The Lower Kohistan police on Sunday launched a search and strike operation against outlaws following the Dasu bus tragedy that occurred in the neighbouring Upper Kohistan district on July 14.

“We have launched an operation against the outlaws in the district and seized arms and ammunition during raids,” district police officer Zulfiqar Khan Jadoon told mediapersons. A police party led by DSP Matloob Khan carried out the operation in Bankad, Dubair, Ranowalia, Gigal, Pattan and its suburbs.

“The police party also checked hotels and over 50 vehicles during the operation,” Mr Jadoon said and added that only those people having the national identity cards were allowed to move ahead.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021