Occupational hazards: Paramedics, teachers boycott polio duties in Swabi

Paramedics and teachers signed a resolution demanding the government to order an inquiry into the incident.

SWABI:

The paramedical and teachers associations of Swabi district on Tuesday refused to participate in polio drives in the district unless proper security is provided to them.

Speaking to journalists at the Government Employees Coordination Council office in Swabi, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Paramedical Association Senior Vice President Islam Gul along with members of All Teachers Association announced a boycott of anti-polio drives in Swabi until the government provides them complete security.

Condemning Sunday’s killing of two polio workers in Kandaray village, Gul and other participants signed a resolution demanding the government to order an inquiry into the incident. “The district government should bring to task the people whose negligence claimed the lives of the two polio workers,” said Gul.

He demanded the Shuhada package be announced for the deceased workers’ family, adding unless security measures were stepped up no one from both associations would participate in any polio drive.

Gul said assailants succeeded in targeting the polio team despite the presence of police escorts. “The militants managed to escape safely, while the police did not take any action,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, the district administration of Swabi has imposed a ban on pillion riding for the next 30 days, following the attacks in Pabini union council.

The announcement was made through loudspeakers in mosques; anyone found violating the ban will be jailed.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2013.