17 arrested protesters in Hangu to be released
HANGU, 13 April: The administration of Hangu has announced to release 17 people of three villages who were arrested during protest against MOL gas company.
The people of Khattak Bandai, Anar Chini and Gadgar were staging protest against MOL company on 29 March when they clashed with police. Twenty protesters were injured during the protest and 17 were arrested. The local elders held negotiations with the administration on Wednesday after which Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kohat Region Awal Khan said FIRs against the arrested persons will be taken back. He also assured to fulfil genuine demands of protesters and compensate their losses.
The people of the three villages are of the view that the said company had promised to set up schools and dispensaries besides providing other facilities in their villages after completion of the company’s work, but now they have backed out of their promises. A local elder, Pir Abdul Nasir said while talking to TNN that people are doing politics on development schemes in their area.
“We have decided that we will not allow entry of political people in Hangu. Politicians are mainly responsible for problems in Hangu,” he said.