After polio attack Section 144 imposed in Swabi

Pillion riding, public display of weapons banned for two months

SWABI: Days after two polio workers were killed in a gun attack in the Razar Tehsil of Swabi prompting vaccinators to boycott the immunization drive there, the district administration has imposed Section 144 in the district for two months, banning pillion riding and public display of weapons.

Meanwhile, polio vaccinators resumed the drive on Friday with a strict cordon of police.

The Swabi deputy commissioner, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), imposed a ban on the movement of all vehicles which do not bear authentic registration number plates in the district. The ban will remain in effect for two months from January 31.

Those violating will be charged under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Polio workers in the Razar tehsil had announced boycott of the immunization campaigns due to the lack of adequate security during the campaigns. They said they will not resume their duties unless stringent security was provided to them.

Meanwhile, security has already been beefed up in the district and additional police personnel have been deployed in the area.

The district police officers have also directed government employees in civilian clothes not to display their weapons over the next two months. Only uniformed police officials will be allowed to carry their weapons in public. Residents of the district have been asked to cooperate with the police force for the future of their kids and family members.

Meanwhile, the Bannu Deputy Commissioner Captain (retired) Zubair Niazi has suspended three record and revenue officers (Patwari) for skipping out on their polio duties. Inquiries were initiated against them.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2020.