MARDAN, Nov 7: District Nazim Himayatullah Mayar has alleged that four gangs of criminals in Skhakot area of the Malakand agency have let loose the a of terror in Mardan district.

He was speaking at a gathering of lawyers at the bar room here to clarify his position about an incident between him and the district police officer (DPO).

The DPO has charged the district nazim under section 324, 195A, 353, 148, 149 and 427 a day before Eidul Fitr, following the beating of an operator of 15 (Tila Mohammad).

However, the lawyers’ community has decided to con-

stitute a committee for reconciliation and negotiations between police officials and the district nazim. Mr Mayar was also a practising lawyer before contesting the district nazim election.

Mr Mayar alleged that there were only four gangs in Skhakot area who have converted the Mardan district into a hell.

He alleged that the criminals were involved in kidnapping and carjacking.

He claimed that the people of Mardan were paying Rs3 million to Rs10 million daily to them because they were hijacking 10 to 20 vehicle along with its driver or owner daily and demand Rs100,000 for the release of the driver or owner and the vehicle.

He alleged that police was a party to it, because when the aggrieved people wanted to lodge an FIR, they were told by police officials concerned to enter into a deal with the kidnappers.

The nazim warned that if such practice was not stopped, then people had the right to act against the criminal gangs.