RAWALPINDI: Some villagers snatched flour bags from a government distribution team on the last day of the free flour scheme on Sunday.

According to Kahuta police, “15 to 20 enraged villagers” appeared on the scene in a white van and blocked the way of the trucks loaded with 650 wheat flour bags. First they snatched mobile phones from the driver and his assistant, beat them up and then offloaded 70 wheat flour bags.

“We were helpless because they were hiding their faces when they attacked the loaded truck; shortly after their women also joined them,” Shafqat Ali, the truck driver, told Dawn.

He said he and a flour mill driver, Bahadur Shah, left Rawat on Sunday in a convoy of three trucks to distribute flour in Kahuta area. He said as they were crossing Balode area, they found a white van with 15 to 20 people on board following their truck. He said they forced them to stop after which the villagers, including some women, came out of their houses and started snatching the flour bags. “They got on the truck, grabbed some bags, and escaped,” he added.

A police team reached the scene after one hour who were led to the villagers’ houses where four bags were retrieved.Police have made no arrest so far.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2023