KOHAT, April 27: District Nazim Malik Asad has called upon the traders and common people to unite and register cases against the elements extorting money from them as the administration will provide protection to them.

Speaking at a public gathering on Saturday at the end of a walk against Bhatta system and incidents of kidnapping, he appreciated the role of police, saying the law enforcers had arrested ring leaders of many gangs operating in the area.

The walk was organized by the local business community against the gangs extorting money from the people and traders.

Kohat SSP Abid Ali, while speaking at the gathering, appreciated the citizens for raising voice against criminals for the first time in the history of the area and vowed to protect their lives and property at all cost.

He said that the police and the district administration would the district safe from the anti-social elements.

Haji Gulzar Hussain, president of the Mushtarika Markets Union, criticized some local groups, who, he said, were involved in kidnapping for ransom and providing protection to the kidnappers.

He said that the black sheep in the police force should also be taken to task as complete peace and justice was impossible in their presence.

Kohat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Manzoor Ahmed Paracha and other representatives of the traders’ unions also spoke at the gathering.