MANSEHRA, Feb 19: Heavy rain and snowfall started in upper parts of Hazara on Sunday and according to a met department official the current spell would continue for the next three days.

The rain started in Mansehra, Battagram and Kohistan districts in the morning while Kaghan, Allai and Kandia valleys and mountainous areas received snowfall, which brought a chill in the already cold weather of the region.

The official said that temperature was expected to drop from -8 to -12 degrees Celsius in Kaghan valley. The Kaghan road, which was blocked at Naran section of Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad road two weeks ago due to snowfall and landslides, could not be opened to traffic as yet.

ANP DIFFERENCES: Serious differences have surfaced in Awami National Party, Torghar chapter, over induction of non-party men in its district body.

“We have already taken up the issue with the party high-ups in Hazara, but of no avail. We can’t tolerate violation of Bacha Khan's philosophy and are going to soon form a body consisting of real workers of the party,” said former senior vice-president Abdul Qadir while speaking to media persons in Oghi on Sunday.

Mr Qadir, party’s Torghar district general secretary Fazal Khaliq and others said that the so-called president of ANP Torghar, Iqbal Zeb, had inducted people on important positions in violation of the party manifesto, as they were never remained members of the party.

They said that genuine workers of the party had been cornered. They said that the ANP had gained popularity among the people of the new district and no conspiracy against it would be tolerated.

When contacted, Mr Zeb rejected the allegations levelled against him and said that if anybody had complaints they should consult the party in accordance with the rules.

DOG FIGHT: Mansehra police on Sunday averted dog fight competitions at Mayian area because the organisers had not got approval for the event, said an official of the Saddar police.

Hundreds of people, including pet owners, from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country had gathered at the mountainous Mayian are for the dog fight, but a police party reached the spot and people dispersed peacefully.

Some people said that the government should legalise such competitions.