CHITRAL, Sept 11: A suspension bridge on a river at Priat village was destroyed by unknown miscreants, stranding hundreds of people across the river as their only link to other parts of the district was disconnected on Tuesday.

SHO Koghuzi police station said that the bridge was put on fire on Monday night by unknown miscreants. Hundreds of people, including aged men, women and children, stranded across the bridge were compelled to travel through difficult and steep terrains to reach their destinations.

School going children could also not attend schools as there was no other bridge on the river to help them reach their educational institutions.

Koghuzi police have arrested one suspected person and started investigations. The local people complained that no politician, leader or a responsible person visited the area.

They demanded of the provincial and federal governments to immediately reconstruct this all-important bridge to restore communication link of the area with other parts of Chitral.—APP