DERA GHAZI KHAN: Taunsa city police have registered a case against unidentified mob who allegedly took away relief goods from an official warehouse established at the Government College for Boys, Taunsa Sharif.

In another incident, Hajipur (Rajanpur) police have booked 14 people for allegedly thrashing a philanthropist and snatching relief articles.

On Sept 3, scores of male and female residents of rain-affected tribal area tehsil held a protest in front of the house of former chief minister Usman Buzdar in Taunsa Sharif, demanding relief and rehabilitation.

Police managed to disperse the protesters, including women, by use of force and the regional police officer ordered an inquiry into the incident. Later, in the evening (Sept 3), hundreds of people looted a warehouse set up at government college for boys, Taunsa Sharif.

27 cases registered during two weeks, says RPO

According to first information report registered on the report of police constable, hundreds of men and women looted ration from the warehouse by scaling the walls of the college.

It said the mob took away relief goods stored in two rooms while the rest [four rooms] remained safe. When the police reached the spot, the mob had dispersed taking benefit of the darkness. Police have registered a case against hundreds of unidentified looters under sections 457, 527 and 380 pf Pakistan Penal Code.

Another incident of snatching of ration bags and other relief goods was reported in Hajipur [flood-affected area of Jampur tehsil of Rajanpur] when a philanthropist was manhandled for not giving relief goods to those who did not have token or were not eligible as they belonged to other village.

Hajipur police have registered a case under section 382, 506, 148/149 of PPC against 14, including 10 nominated suspects.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Liaqat Ali Chatha told Dawn that it had been directed to the respective administrations to provide security to relief goods vehicles and their handlers to avert untoward incidents.

Earlier, the incidence of snatching has taken place in Rujhan, Fazilpur (Rajanpur) and tribal area Mubarki of Dera Ghazi Khan.

RPO Chaudhry Muhammad Saleem told Dawn that as many as 27 cases of snatching of relief goods had been registered in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur besides arrest of 87 suspects during the last two weeks.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2022