NAWABSHAH, Feb 22: A female hog deer, an endangered species, has reportedly been hunted and her fawn has been missing since her reported death in Kot Dhingano forest, a couple of kilometres away from here, according to reliable sources.

The sources alleged on Sunday that a group of local hunters killed the deer in connivance with officials of wildlife department a couple of days ago.

They said that the little deer, which accompanied the mother, had been missing and there were fears it had also been hunted.

Hog deer is an endangered species, which is fast becoming extinct in the forests of Nawabshah and, therefore, its hunting is strictly prohibited.

Honorary game warden Saleem Raza Jalbani did not confirm the reports and said that he had only heard about the hunting of a wild boar and the report was being investigated.

Hussain Bux Bhagat, conservator of Sindh wildlife, confirmed the report of deer hunting in the forest and missing of its baby. He had seen a detailed report from the honorary game warden of Nawabshah and involvement of any official was being investigated, he said.

The law calls for imposition of Rs50,000 to Rs150,000 compensation and imprisonment of three to six months on anyone found guilty of hunting the deer.

No FIR was lodged till the filing of this report.

RAILWAY: State Minister for Railways Fakir Jadim Mangrio said on Sunday that railway line between Nawabshah and Mirpurkhas would be made functional and work on the project would start soon.

Talking to journalists at the railway station here, the minister said that the system would hopefully improve after privatisation of Pakistan Railways.

He said that the chairman and general manager of railways had been posted recently and they would take time to make improvements.

He said that he was travelling in the train to receive public complaints first hand.

HEPATITIS: At least 150 out of 600 people who were screened at a medical camp were found hepatitis positive in Jam Saheb town on Sunday.

The camp was organised by Insaan Dost Group in collaboration with health department.

Dr Asadullah Dahiri said that about 150 patients were found having hepatitis B and C out of a total of 600. The patients were advised to reach office of EDO of health for further investigations, including PCR test after which they would be provided therapy.