LAKKI MARWAT: The district administration claimed to have covered refusal cases in the Betanni tribal subdivision on the last day of the anti-polio drive on Friday.

The five-day campaign with two-day catch-up activity had begun on Feb 17.

During the campaign, the vaccinators recorded refusal cases in several parts and shared the data with officials of the district administration.

Afterwards, deputy commissioner Abdul Haseeb tasked officials of his administration, revenue department and secretaries of local government and rural development department with ensuring coverage of all the refusal cases.

Mr Haseeb himself visited remote localities of Betanni subdivision and convinced the reluctant parents on immunisation of children against the crippling disease. He also held meetings with the tribal chiefs and asked them to augment efforts aiming to contain poliovirus.

The deputy commissioner told the tribal people that polio was a deadly disease and it could cause lifelong paralysis to children. He said refusal by parents could be detrimental to their children’s health.

He reiterated that the administration would ensure coverage of all the unvaccinated children in tribal subdivision and other parts of the district.

Mr Haseeb called upon parents not to believe in hearsay and rumours about anti-polio vaccine as it was safe for children’s health. He said cooperation of people would help make the district polio-free.

FOUR ARRESTED: The police arrested four people, including three drug traffickers, in separate actions on Friday.

Following a tip-off, Shaheed Haibat Ali Khan police raided a place in Warghar locality of Darra Pezu town and arrested a drug trafficker, Mansha Mohammad. Over 1,000 gram hashish was recovered from the man and a case was registered case against him, said an official.

The official said Shaheed Asmatullah Khan Khattak police arrested Mohammad Jamil in Danishabad area and recovered over 1,000 gram heroin, a rifle, a pistol and bullets from him.

The same police arrested Javed for illegally confining his brother.

The official added a drug peddler, Kalimullah, was captured in Mammakhel locality and 410 gram heroin was seized from him.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2020