SARGODHA, Jan 22: Some police officials in plainclothes have allegedly deprived a contractor of Rs25,000 and beat his employees on resistance near Luksian check post.

The Sargodha-Talibwala-Lahore Road contractor, Abdul Waheed Khan, told newsmen here on Tuesday that Iftikhar Ahmad Cheema and his team crossed the check post and hit a motorcycle. He said they looted Rs25,000 in cash from him and beat him.

He alleged the policemen were drunkard, adding the driver of the SHO beat him with butt and tried to kidnap him when he tried to report the matter with Chaksian police post.

He alleged SHO Sikandar Ghumman was patronizing the dacoits in the police department. He claimed the traffic on the road remained suspended following the incident and the Bhalwal ASP favoured the police.

When contacted, the ASP was not available for comments.

Some shopkeepers, on the request of anonymity, told this correspondent that the area police were patronizing the bandits.

EMBEZZLED: The cantonment board is on the verge of bankruptcy as former cantonment board executive officer had allegedly drained entire funds of various accounts after extorting commission from the contractors, it was learnt.

Social circles alleged the officers had embezzled a huge amount and urged the authorities concerned to take action against the corrupt.

Meanwhile, the authorities had directed the employers of the board to accelerate the collection of taxes otherwise it would be difficult to pay them regular salaries.

It was learnt Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) had served a notice to the board for disconnection of electricity supply as it has not paid energy charges of Rs500,000.