SWABI: The people blocked the Swabi-Jehangira Road here on Wednesday after a truck loaded with sand struck and killed a man in the Jehangira mining area.

Khaista Rehman, father of four children, was passing through the road in Azam Ghari area when the truck knocked him down. The truck driver escaped from the scene.

The protesters regretted that the authorities had failed to stop the illegal mining in the area. They recalled that five people, including children, had so far been killed after being hit by trucks taking sand and gravel from the area.

The protesters said though the provincial government had banned mining in the area straddling between Swabi and Nowshera, the influential people continued the illegal practice without any hindrance.

The protesters marched to Swabi-Jehangira Bridge, which links the two districts, and blocked the artery there, demanding arrest of the truck driver and stoppage of mining activity in the area.

Chota Lahor assistant commissioner Ayaz Khan and DSP Taj Mohammad held talks with leaders of the protesting people, assuring them that an FIR would be registered against the vehicle driver in Tordher police station, and the ban on mining would be enforced in letter and spirit.

They said trucks taking sand and gravel won’t be allowed to pass through Azam Ghari area.

KILLED: A man killed his brother after a brawl over a trivial issue here on Wednesday, the police said.

SHO Swabi city police station Ajab Durrani quoted Shiraz Khan, father of the deceased, Shahzad Khan, as saying that he was shot dead by his brother, Sherzamin Khan over some trivial issue.

The body was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2023