MULTAN, Jan 23: The government has reportedly decided to take action against the ‘negligent’ police and civil administration authorities of Rajanpur in the backdrop of Mazari-Bugti clashes which resulted in suspension of gas supply to various parts of the country.

Source told this correspondent that the Rajanpur district coordination officer was likely to be transferred to the Services and General Administration Depart-ment as an officer on special duty.

Dera Ghazi Khan police range DIG Asif Nawaz said that after a visit to the troubled area, he had reached to the conclusion that the Rajanpur police kept him in dark about the severity of the situation.

He said that a Mazari tribesman was killed recently in a landmine blast allegedly planted by the Bugtis in Rajanpur area.

He also hinted at initiation of an inquiry against the officials responsible to maintain law and order in the area, including the district police officer.

He said the alleged kidnapping of four Mazaris from the site of gas line blast in Doli was being probed. He, however, was skeptical over this claim of Mazari tribe.

When contacted, some residents of Mazari Goth denied that any incident of kidnapping had happened. Mazari Goth village is situated on the confluence of three provinces and its residents are on warpath with the Bugtis.

The recent spate of clashes between the two tribes triggered on January 14 when some Bugti tribesmen arrived in the Mazaris area for houbara bustard hunting. The Mazaris were expecting some Arab dignitaries who were scheduled to visit the area for houbara hunting on Jan 20.

In order to maintain the population of the prey bird for the Arabs, the Mazaris opened fire at the Bugtis.

It was learnt that the Bugtis, led by a family chief, used short-range battery-operated missiles in retaliation. Bugtis felt offended and later exchange of fire turned out to be the order of the day.

Local Urdu dailies reported the Jan 14 incident in their issues next day, but the Rajanpur administration reportedly took no action.