CHARSADDA: Hundreds of people took to the streets in Tangi city here on Mondayagainst the alleged desecration of the shrine of Sufi saint Sakhi Sarwar Baba and demanded strict action against culprits.

The protesters also demonstrated outside the Tangi police station insisting that “unscrupulous elements” dug up old graves at night to search for archaeological treasure.

The police held two men for allegedly digging up the saint’s tomb and other old graves in Tangi area thinking that valuables would be dumped there.

The accused included Mohammad Shoaib of Ahtarabad Tangi area and Mudassir Zaman alias Fuji of College Korona area.

The police seized their shovel, hammer and other digging tools and registered a case against them under Section 297 of the Pakistan Penal Code before beginning investigation.

During Monday’s demonstration, local elders Malik Idrees Khan and Ashfaq Khan, village council nazim Tahir Khan and other speakers flayed the incident and said it was a pity that treasure seekers didn’t even spare the tomb of a saint.

Police arrest two for digging up tomb, old graves

They demanded strict action against the accused to prevent such attempts in future.

The protesters dispersed after the formation of a jirga to resolve the issue. The jirga was led by Zahoorul Haq and comprised religious scholars, elected representatives and other notables.

The jirga members said they would take immediate steps to address the issue as the vested interests could use it to disturb peace in the district.

KILLED: A gunman killed his young rival here on Sunday.

The deceased’s father told police that Asim, a resident of Rajar Mirchaki area, opened fire at his son, Ramzan, during a wedding ceremony in the area and fled.

He said his son suffered critical injuries and died in the hospital.

The police registered a case against the killer and started an investigation.

SUICIDE: Two young people committed suicide in separate areas here on Monday.

Roohul Amin told Mandani police that his younger sister hanged herself in the bathroom of their house.

The police registered a case and began an investigation.

Also, Sanaullah shot himself dead in his house in Dargai area here. The police said they had begun an investigation after registering a case. Two young people committed suicide in separate areas here on Monday.

Roohul Amin told Mandani police that his younger sister hanged herself in the bathroom of their house.

The police registered a case and began an investigation.

Also, Sanaullah shot himself dead in his house in Dargai area here. The police said they had begun an investigation after registering a case.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2023