Demands accepted, Torkhow protesters disperse

BOONI: The people of Torkhow ended their protest held in Booni on the second day after the district administration accepted their demands to expedite work on the Booni-Buzund road on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the protesters blocked Chitral-Mastuj road demanding speedy construction of work on the stalled Booni-Buzund road and action against the C&W department and its contractor.

Later, the protesters said that their negotiations with the deputy commissioner of Upper Chitral Haseebur Rehman were successful as the administration provided through the C&W 10 additional Mazda trucks and two excavators to expedite the work on the site. The DC also promised to provide dumpers in place of the Mazda trucks within two to three days.

Moreover, the executive engineer of the C&W department would be visiting the project site regularly while an engineer would be present at the site to supervise the work. 

Besides, legal action would be initiated against DSP Molai Shah and Inspector Anwar Shah for baton charging the protesters at Kagh Lasht when they were marching to Booni on November 17.

According to the protesters, a revenue official will soon visit Torkhow to resolve issues related to the land acquisition for the road project and to ensure payment to those whose land was acquired by the government.

The protesters were seen returning from Booni along with the Mazda trucks.

Work on the 28km road from Booni to Buzund in Torkhow was started about six years ago and has not yet been completed with its cost escalating.