SHANGLA: Shangla Coal Mine Workers Association has demanded of government to ensure safety of miners working in Dara Adamkhel where dispute over ownership of mines poses threat to them.

Abid Yar Khan, the president of the association, told journalists here on Monday that the district administration of Kohat had written a letter to the directorate of mines and minerals regarding the threat and continuing work in the disputed area.

He said that directorate of mines asked the district administration to remove the miners belonging to Shangla from the disputed coal mines. He said that he was approached by the directorate and district administration of Kohat several times to contact the coal miners and remove them from the area.

Mr Khan said that several precious lives were lost in the coal mine disputes in Dara Adamkhel. He claimed that coal miners were informed regarding the threat but influential mine owners forced them to continue work.

He urged the relatives of the miners to contact their loved ones as soon as possible and ask them to return to their homes. He also demanded of security agencies to make sure safe withdrawal of workers from the disputed mines. He urged the mine owners to allow the workers to return to their homes in Shangla.

Deputy Commissioner Hassan Abid, when contacted, said that he would talk to Kohat district police officer to ensure safe return of miners from the disputed area.

POETRY SESSION: Poets from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took part in a literary session held in Alpuri the other day.

Pashto poets including Hanif Qais, Attaur Rehman Atta, Sardarzeb, Sharif Khan Sharif, Dr Hamdard Yousafzai and Afsarul Mulk Afghan presented their poems at the session that were appreciated by the audience.

The called for promotion of harmony and urged people to play their due to role in spreading the message of peace and love in the society.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2023