DERA GHAZI KHAN: Sadar police on Sunday registered a case against 170 people, 20 of them nominated, under the Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) and different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly torturing policemen, snatching their weapons, bulletproof jackets and helmets, besides kidnapping four of them, during an operation against power theft at Suhrani in the district.

As per the first information report, when a raiding team of the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) raiding team, escorted by a police party reached Suhrani village, the locals offered resistance and attacked the officials and policemen with clubs, snatched their anti-riot gear and weapons ans manhandled them.

As a result, at least four policemen were seriously injured and were shifted to the trauma centre of the Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital of the Ghazi Medical College here.

The attackers allegedly kidnapped at least four of the policemen, who were freed by them after negotiations with police officers.

Later, DG Khan Sadar police registered a case against 170 villagers, including the 20 nominated ones, under section 7 of the ATA and 353, 342, 365, 195, 324, 440, 149, 148 and 186 of the PPC.

HUNTING BAN: The deputy commissioner has imposed a ban on illegal hunting of birds and wild animals in the district under Section 144.

As per a notification issued by the DC’s office, the violators of the ban will be prosecuted against under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The ban will remain in force till October 25, it adds.

Published in Dawn, October 23th, 2023