LANDI KOTAL, April 15: Armed people belonging to the Sultankhel tribe blocked the Peshawar-Torkhum highway at Zeen Thara on Thursday to protest against the re-posting of a lady doctor at the agency headquarters hospital here.

The road remained closed to vehicular traffic for over five hours. The protesting tribesmen demanded transfer of Dr Aneesa, who they alleged, had misbehaved with a woman patient and refused to examine her at her clinic.

They also threatened forced closure of the hospital if their demand was not met. Reacting to the tribesmen's threat, doctors at the hospital lodged a complaint with the political administration asking for their security. The doctors and paramedics have also vowed that they would not succumb to the pressure by a "few hooligans".

Political administration has constituted a jirga of local elders to settle the issue. They warned that arrests would be made if the Sultankhel tribesmen again resorted to the use of force or tried to block the road.

Dr Aneesa, meanwhile, has alleged that a chemist and an NGO worker had conspired against her after she had refused to prescribe a particular drug and pay bribes to the NGO worker who had promised to bring about a raproachment with her opponents.

It is said that as a result of pressure of local people, local health authorities had transferred the lady doctor as a result of the misbehaviour incident. However, an enquiry report later cleared Dr Aneesa of all the charges.

MAN KILLED: A man was shot dead by his nephew in Shalobar area of Bara in Khyber Agency over a piece of land. Mohammed Ayub was constructing a room in his house. This was opposed by his nephew Javed and both opened fire on each other. Mohamad Ayub was killed on the spot while Javed received bullet inuries.