ATTOCK, May 10 Displaced persons from Swat, Buner, Dir and Shangla because of military operation have started reaching Attock to take temporary refuge.

As there is no relief camp for the IDPs in the district bordering NWFP, the IDPs are staying in the rented houses or living with their relatives in different parts of Attock and Hazro tehsil. Some of them have set up shops and other small businesses at the residential areas to meet their daily expenses.

And, some of the IDPs, including women and children, are facing problems because of lack of food, accommodation and other facilities. The situation calls for attention of the concerned government quarters for provision of basic amenities of life to the displaced people. The influx of refugees is also increasing the burden on the District Headquarters (DHQ) hospital and other rural health centres of the district. According to the locals, the number of in-door and out-door patients is increasing at the 120-bed DHQ hospital.

Health officials said due to crowded wards, the hospital authorities are facing problems to admit more patients, particularly who need emergency care. —Correspondent