TIMERGARA, Feb 13: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah on Tuesday warned the people of Upper Dir District of strict action if they do not destroy the poppy crop voluntarily.

He said the elected representatives and police of the areas would be held accountable for poppy growing in their areas. The government would not succumb to what he called pressure tactics and blackmailing, Mr Shah said.

Addressing a public meeting at Wari here, the governor said that on the one hand the people of Dir seemed to be pro-active for the implementation of Shariah, and launched movements for this purpose, but on the other, they were growing poppy. It reflected contradiction in their words and deeds, he added.

Upper Dir District Nazim Sahibzada Tariqullah, Lower Dir District Nazim Dr Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, Swat District Nazim Dr Mehboobur Rehman, officials of the district administration and others attended the meeting.