DERA ISMAIL KHAN, April 7: Police have arrested six of the 14 accused persons and recovered two minor girls who were given in vani to the rival family for settling a dispute between the two families. Saddar police station SHO Muhammad Ashraf told this correspondent on Thursday that they had registered an FIR against 14 people, including a cleric who had solemnised ‘nikkah’ of the two minor girls. He confirmed arrest of six of the accused and recovery of the two minor girls.

The local police said that they got information that daughter of one Jan Baloch and a married man Barkatullah were seen in objectionable position after which the elders of the area convened a panchayat (arbitration council) at Gamal Kalan area.

The panchayat decided that the girl should be married to Barkatullah. It was also decided that two daughters of Barkatullah – D Bibi, 3, and F Bibi, 6, should be married to the girl’s two brothers aged 6 and 13.

It is learnt that ‘nikkah’ of the minors was performed by Maulvi Tariq, who has also been charged in the case. The police registered the case under Section 310-A of Pakistan Penal Code, which prohibits giving of a female for settling a dispute.

KILLED: A man allegedly killed his wife over a domestic dispute at Qazi Kokar area on Thursday.

According to the FIR, one Zulfiqar strangled his wife to death following exchange of hot words. Kifayatullah, brother of the deceased, has lodged the FIR at Paharpur police station.

In another case, police have arrested two persons, Munir and Akram and recovered arms from their possession. When contacted, Parawa police SHO Enayat Ali said that they had recovered a Kalashnikov, repeater gun and cartridges from the two accused.