MURREE, June 18 Closure of the Mall Road to all kinds of traffic, including school vans, has caused serious resentment among the local people.

The road was sealed following a meeting of the district administration which was attended by Chief Police Officer (CPO) Rao Sikandar Iqbal, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Imdad Bosal, ASP Murree and other local officials.

Murree city's naib nazim and PML-N general secretary Mirza Sohail Baig, Nasir Abbasi and a large number of locals protested against what they called an anti-people decision of the administration to defame the Punjab government.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Mall Road has never been closed to school vans and ambulances, but this time the restriction had also been imposed on such vehicles.

Talking to reporters, the naib nazim said closure of road would also affect business of scores of shopkeepers.

“Murree is already facing a severe financial crisis due to prevailing situation in the country and the number of tourists visiting the hill station is less than 25 per cent of what it used to be during the previous years,” Mr Baig said.

He also threatened to resign from his office if the decision was not reconsidered.

Traders also criticised the move and asked Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of the “unwise” decision.

Journalists protest extortion

Mediapersons here on Thursday protested against Town Municipal Officer (TMO) Mehboob Alam, who also has additional charge of deputy district officer revenue (DDOR), for allegedly taking bribe from a reporter for registry of land.

A large number of journalists gathered outside the DDOR offices and demanded the return of the amount extorted from the reporter.

They criticised Mr Alam who they alleged of taking bribe from citizens and cabin holders. Those refusing to do so face inordinate delays in processing of their cases, they said.

The DDOR denied the allegations, and said “it was an act of his lower staff.”

Meanwhile, PML-N Murree chapter president Raja Daftar Abbasi reached the DDOR offices and recovered Rs20,000 and handed over the amount to the reporter.

He assured that the remaining Rs5,000 would also be given back to the media person.