Voice of dissent: Teachers take to the streets in Kohat

Cases registered against them for failing to participate in polio drive.

NOWSHERA/ KOHAT: Schoolteachers protested in Kohat after cases were registered against them for refusing to participate in polio drives. A large number of women held a sit-in on Main University Road on Tuesday to voice their reservations about the civil administration’s decision.

Some days ago, a group of teachers had refused to participate in polio drives in the city due to the absence of security guards. As a result, police registered cases against these teachers on the civil administration’s directives.

The protest on Tuesday was led by Nabila and Farhat Jehan. Teachers assembled outside Kohat Press Club and subsequently proceeded towards Shuhada Chowk on Main University Road.

Protesters held a sit-in and the road remained closed for several hours. The teachers voiced their resentment over the registration of FIRs against them. They urged the government to withdraw the cases by Wednesday (today) or they would have no option but to hold a series of protests across Kohat.

Later, Kohat DC Kamran Afridi and DPO Sohaib Ashraf arrived at Shuhada Chowk and heard the complaints of protesters. They vowed to address the demands of the teachers, after which protesters dispersed peacefully.

Various Awami National Party leaders and members of the legal fraternity attended the sit-in to show solidarity with the teachers.

Behind bars

Police conducted a search operation in Pabbi Circle, Nowshera on Tuesday.

According to Pabbi SHO Haji Shad Ali Khan, at least 94 persons were arrested. Of these, 73 were taken into custody for failing to provide valid identity documents. Eight of them were identified as Afghan nationals and booked under the Foreigners Act.

At least 39 suspects were released after they provided valid identity documents to the police. According to police officials, contrabands and weapons were also seized from seven suspects.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2015.