BAJAUR: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Monday marked the International Mine Awareness Day with the pledge to protect the communities from landmines by eradicating them through public awareness.

Speaking at a function held at the PRCS office in Khar, the society’s Bajaur chapter secretary Tariq Zaman stressed the significance of awareness among people on how to stay safe from landmines.

He said the day was observed on April 4 each year to make people to work towards eradicating landmines. He said this year’s theme was ‘safe ground, safe steps and safe home’.

On the occasion, PRCS district liaison officer Shah Khalid said purpose of observing the day was to make the people aware about dangers of landmines and the steps to eradicate them.

He said thousands of people across the world were killed every year in landmine explosions.

PRCS provincial coordinator for mine awareness programme Hamad Yousaf said landmines had become a threat to the lives of people, especially children. He said PRCS volunteers were conducting training sessions on landmines awareness to help prevent people, especially children, from dangers of landmines.

The speakers asked the government and nongovernment organisations to help the landmine victims become useful citizens of the society.

On the occasion, scores of victims of landmine explosions and differently-able persons were given prizes and shields.

ONE KILLED IN CLASH: A clash between rival groups claimed life of one person and caused injuries to three others in Mamond tehsil on Monday.

Residents and police said the clash took place in a bazaar in Lowi Kharki area. They identified the deceased as Gujar Khan.

The injured and the body were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Khar.

SASTA BAZAARS: The district administration has set up Ramazan Sasta bazaars in all the tehsils of Bajaur tribal district to provide the residents with essential items at subsidised rates.

A statement issued from the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday said sasta bazaars were set up in Khar, Inayat Kallay, Nawagai, Salarzai and Mamond.

It said the consumers would get wheat flour, sugar, ghee, cooking oil, syrups and pulses at 30 per cent discount compared to open market.

Published in Dawn, April 5th, 2022