Banned activity: Levies men suspended for poppy growth

Official sources said that 11 policemen and 8 officials had allegedly sown the poppy crop despite the ban.

MANSEHRA: The authorities in Mansehra suspended 19 personnel of law enforcement agencies on Thursday for allegedly cultivating poppy, a banned activity, in Torghar district. The home department has issued orders of disciplinary action against these officials on the report of the Hazara Division commissioner. Official sources said that 11 policemen and 8 officials of the Levies belonging to the Mada Khel tribe had allegedly sown the poppy crop despite the ban. Following an inquiry conducted last week the home department has recommended disciplinary action against these 19 officials, suspending them from their duties. The officials were served show cause notices, according to sources. They were asked to destroy the banned crop voluntarily or face termination from service.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2012.