LANDI KOTAL, May 7: Oil-tanker drivers here staged a rally at Torkham to protest against alleged high-handedness of the political administration.

The drivers who carried black flags, alleged that one of their colleagues had been beaten up by the khasadar force at the border gate when the driver refused to pay bribe.

Said Wali, a spokesman for the protesters, complained that oil-tanker drivers were stopped and searched despite clearance from the customs authorities.

He said they were allowed to cross the border into Afghanistan only after greasing the palm of the political authorities.

The drivers ended the protest after officials of the political administration assured them that their grievances would be looked into.

During the protest, an official of the political administration, Roohul Amin, snatched a camera from a journalist and scuffled with another when they tried to cover the demo.

Later, the Tribal Union of Journalists, Khyber Agency unit, met and demanded through a unanimous resolution removal of the concerned official from the Torkhum border.

TWO KILLED: Two people were killed in separate incidents of firing at Shalober Chowk in Bara on Friday.