TOBA TEK SINGH, Feb 28: The district government has urged the provincial government to award magisterial powers to tehsil municipal officers and revenue officers so that they could be deputed to maintain peace during Muharram.

This was stated here on Thursday by district Nazim Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq while speaking at a meeting of the district peace committee.

District Police Officer Chaudhry Muhammad Ashraf apprised the meeting that there was a complete ban on the use of loudspeaker except for Azan and Friday prayer in the district.

He said taazia processions would be guarded by policemen while 200 civil defence volunteers would also be deputed for the purpose.

He said orders had been issued for the removal of all encroachments on the roads and streets from where the processions would pass.

The meeting was also addressed by DBA President Chaudhry Anwaarul Haq, District Public Safety Commission Chairman Rai Ziaullah Khan, minorities leader Fr Bonnie Mendes and ulema of various schools of thought. They assured their full cooperation in maintaining peace during Muharram.

DEATH AWARDED: An additional district and sessions judge, Gojra, on Friday sentenced to death a convict of Chak 357-JB in a murder case and also ordered him to pay Rs200,000 as compensation to heirs of the deceased.

The judge acquitted his brothers Muhammad Afzal and Muhammad Akram by giving them the benefit of the doubt.

According to the prosecution, Salam Din had shot dead Muhammad Hussain of his village over a dispute of crop destruction.