DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 28: The law and order situation in Jhoke Uttra, a village located some 28 kms from here, has worsened after the release of some outlaws from prison who are allegedly being backed by some influential people of the area.

It is being feared that a bloody clash may spark between the freed outlaws and the villagers if the law enforcement agencies did not intervene soon.

Reports said the incidents of dacoities and thefts had been rising in the area since December 2005 when some local criminals, jailed for burning a man alive, were released after striking a settlement with the aggrieved family.

Jhoke Uttra residents alleged that the freed outlaws and their male relatives were involved in dozens of heinous crimes and some of them were proclaimed offenders.

They claimed that since the release of the outlaws, incidents of robbery, dacoity and theft had increased in the area, causing a sense of insecurity among the people of Jhoke Uttra. Kot Cchutta police could not arrest the nominated accused.

The law and order situation had deteriorated to the extent that Kot Cchutta SHO reportedly asked the residents at a meeting held in Dec 2005 that they should arm themselves against the outlaws in self-defence.

The village residents demanded that the district police officer should take notice of the situation to avert any bloody clash between the villagers and the influential outlaws.