GUJRANWALA, Jan 1: Panic gripped a hostel for working women in the city when armed men, headed by an MPA’s husband, stormed the place about midnight (Wednesday) asking the boarders to allow their search.

The visitors, however, slipped away before the district administration functionaries could reach there in response to a call.Reports said Ashfaq Ahmad, who is the husband of MPA Shazia Farid (daughter of former MPA Farid of Aroop), visited the working women’s hostel along with his four guards and asked the women to allow their search.

Introducing himself to the women, he told them that he was a taskforce chairman and wanted to do so for their betterment. The women got panicked and raised an alarm; the hostel incharge informed the district administration officials about the incident.

Divisional Commissioner Khalid Masood, DCO Dr Pervaiz Ahmad Khan and other senior officers reached the hostel, but the MPA’s spouse and his men left the place minutes before their arrival.

The hostel boarders protested before the higher-ups asking them to take the intruders to task. The DCO formed a two-member committee -- District Officer (Revenue) Syed Sibtul Hasan and District Officer (Social Security) Shafiq Awan – to probe the episode.

They started the proceedings by recording the statements of women and the hostel incharge. The inquiry report would be submitted to the DCO on Friday (today).

Meanwhile, the Punjab chief secretary has also sought a report immediately.