Police action in Hangu: Two proclaimed offenders arrested

Eight suspects taken into custody; residents complain of low gas pressure

HANGU: At least two proclaimed offenders and eight suspects were arrested in Hangu on Saturday. Arms and drugs were also seized from their possession. ASI Waqas Khan told The Express Tribune the police carried out a series of raids in Qadeem Banda and Doaba.

“Amanullah and Hayat were taken into custody,” he said. “The proclaimed offenders were wanted for various cases of terrorism and kidnapping since 2007.”

In custody

Separately, the police arrested five suspects during a search and strike operation in Manji Khel. Thall SHO Abbas Ali told The Express Tribune they seized a rifle, four submachine guns, a pistol and hundreds of bullets from their possession.

In another incident, Saddar SHO Fazal Khan led a raid in his police jurisdiction and arrested Adil, Badshah and Kamal. The suspects were wanted by the Kohat and Hangu police for several cases of murder. FIRs had been registered against them for these cases.

Turning a blind eye

Resident of Dalin village took to the streets over low gas pressure at the houses. They criticised Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) officials for turning a blind eye to the matter.

The demonstrators gathered outside Hangu Press Club on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists, Dalin Society President Rohul Amin said locals had submitted 1,500 applications for new gas connections in 2014.

“However, not a single metre was installed by the office,” he added. According to Amin, Dalin village has vast reservoirs of gas.

“But the government has not hired a single employee to tap them,” he said. “The relevant authorities should hire 30% employees from the area.” He added, “If our demands are not met, we will be compelled to protest outside Chief Minister House and Prime Minister House.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2016.