BAHAWALPUR, May 18 Police will conduct a thorough probe into the claims of the existence of any militant training camps in any of the three districts of Bahawalpur police range to ascertain the factual position.

This was stated by regional police officer (RPO) Malik Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera during a sitting with newsmen at his committee room here on Monday.

During the course of the meeting, Dawn drew his attention towards the conflicting reports of some politico-religious personalities branding the south Punjab districts (including Bahawalpur division) as the centre of militants training camps in south Punjab.

In this connection, he was informed that Federal Religious Affairs Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi (MNA from Rahim Yar Khan district) had reiterated his contention that militants training camps existed in this area. At some occasions in Lahore, NWFP Governor Awais Ghani had also expressed similar views.

Of late, the BBC ran a report on its website and claimed that the Taliban were now emerging from south Punjab.

These claims were however rubbished by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman during his press conference here the other day. According to him, madressahs were serving the cause of preaching Islam and no such institute was involved in anti-state activities.

The RPO declined to comment on these utterances and views of the leaders and said “I have just assumed charge of my office and can't say anything unless I have a clear picture. The issue needs a thorough investigation.”

He asked the media to show patience in this regard.

Sukhera held out an assurance that justice would be ensured to the oppressed on merit and without any political pressure. He said police would launch a crackdown on drug traffickers.

CAMP Pakistan People's Party on Monday organised a camp at Fowara Chowk to extend support to President Asif Ali Zardari on the Swat operation.

Led by city president Shakir Mirza, the camp was attended by a number of male and female activists.

TEACHERS' STRIKE A two-day token hunger-strike camp of the Punjab SES Teachers' Association began outside the SD High School near Farid Gate. Dozens of SES teachers joined the camps in the sizzling heat.

Association President Farrukh Pervaiz told Dawn their protest was mainly against the non-implementation of a teachers' package announced by then chief minister Pervaiz Elahi two years ago. The package, he said, consisted of a 20-point charter that included an increase in salary and scales and channels of promotion for SES teachers.

He said the strike would continue on Tuesday (today) and a protest rally and demonstration would be arranged in districts on May 23. Later on, in pursuance of the decision of provincial body, SES teachers would take out a protest rally at Nasser Bagh, Lahore, on May 28.