Voicing discontent: Activists block KKH, demand transfer of deputy commissioner

Threaten to stage another protest next Friday if demands not met.

BATTAGRAM: Activists of different political parties blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) for over an hour, demanding the immediate transfer of Battagram Deputy Commissioner (DC) after he cancelled SSC papers of students allegedly caught cheating.

The protest was organised following orders of a jirga comprising district office bearers of political parties. As per the decision of the jirga, activists of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Hazara Qaumi Mahaz braved the cold weather and heavy rain and took to the streets after Friday prayers.

The protesters gathered at Kucheri Chowk and blocked the busy thoroughfare for over an hour, suspending the flow of traffic. Amid sloganeering of “Go DC go” they demanded his transfer from Battagram.

Speaking on the occasion, ASWJ leader Maulana Atta Muhammad Deshani said, “The DC is behaving like a dictator and destroying the future of over two dozen candidates by cancelling their exam.”

Battagram DC Mian Adil Iqbal cancelled papers of over 25 candidates of 10th grade during a surprise visit to an examination hall at Government Boys High School when he caught them cheating earlier this week.

Students organised a rally but the police, in order to prevent them from turning violent, baton charged and injured over 10 students. Retaliating, the angry students pelted rocks at the police, leaving five cops injured.

Protesters condemned the use of force against students and threatened the government of blocking KKH for an indefinite period next Friday if the DC, DSP and SHO of Battagram police are not transferred.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2014.