PESHAWAR, June 20: Activists of the Bara-based militant organisation Lashkar-i-Islam have started visiting video centres and barber shops in the provincial metropolis asking the people to avoid selling music CDs and shaving off beards.

They visited some CD shops at Choti Lal Kurti in the cantonment area on Thursday night and delivered them messages from their leader Mangal Bagh to give up the business, or face the consequences.

They also visited a shrine known as Khan Baba in the same locality and warned people to avoid visiting the shrine, otherwise action would be taken against them.

Shopkeepers said the militants had warned to take away the fence from the shrine when they would next visit the area.

A cobbler quoted the militants as saying that people took hashish and indulged in gambling in the areas close to the shrine and they must be punished.

Local people said that as the shopkeepers received the messages they closed their shops, fearing action.

During a visit to the area, it was observed that an owner had removed all CDs from his shop and said he wanted to open a general store instead of selling CDs.

The shopkeeper said he was giving up the business because he was running in losses as people were not taking interest in CDs any longer.

CD shops owners in Saddar and Nauthia also complained about visits of the militants to the area and their threats to give up the business.

They demanded that the government should take action against the militant group and ensure protection to the business community.

The Mangal Bagh-led militants have destroyed many shrines in the Khyber Agency and some settled areas like Shaikhan and Sarband.

Twelve people were killed on March 3 when the militants were destroying a 4-centurty old shrine in Shaikhan in Peshawar.

PPI adds: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hotti on Friday ruled out the possibility that the Taliban would enter the provincial capital and get control of the administration, saying nobody would be allowed to challenge the government’s writ.

Talking to journalists in the NWFP Assembly, he claimed there was no possibility that militants would enter Peshawar, adding thatit was a wrong perception that militants would enter the city.

The situation in certain parts particularly in areas of Fata surrounding the metropolis had given the impression that militants might enter Peshawar, he said.

About the peace talks with the local Taliban, the chief minister said despite all hurdles the government would continue the peace process and restore peace in the Swat region.

He said the provincial government was committed to honour the Swat peace deal and would take steps to implement it in letter in spirit.

He said release of some Taliban prisoners was the first step in that regard, adding the remaining prisoners would be released after scrutinising the cases against them.