HANGU, April 6: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said the government would take all necessary steps to curb crime and eliminate elements providing shelter to criminals involved in heinous cases.

Speaking at two public meetings at Doaba and Hangu town on Saturday, Mr Durrani called upon the people to go for a social boycott of the anti-social elements.

The chief minister said the government would go allout to purge society of all sorts of crimes as it was its prime responsibility to ensure peace and harmony.

He urged the people to collectively supplement the government efforts for the creation of a crime-free society.

The chief minister directed the police force to nab all those criminals who had the backing of influential people.

The government would ensure that criminals were brought to justice, he said, adding that the government would reward police officials for demonstrating extra-ordinary performance in nabbing the criminals.

The chief minister said he had held meetings with the provincial governor for evolving a joint strategy to bust gang of criminals both in settled and tribal areas.

He said the government was committed to providing relief to people by making public sector institutions responsive to their aspirations.

He said the development strategy prepared by the MMA government would remove backwardness of the hitherto neglected districts of the province.—Correspondent