PESHAWAR: At least five suspects were arrested in Kohat on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in violence a day earlier which claimed three lives, including those of two cops, and caused destruction of public property in Zargaran Bazaar and Tirah Bazaar areas.
According to an official release issued by the office of Inspector General Police Peshawar, seven rifles, a machine gun and three pistols were recovered from the arrested suspects.
Following the violence on Monday, the army was called in to take control of the cities of Kohat and Hangu while a curfew was imposed.
Police also claimed to have arrested two people for hate speech whereas eight others were taken into custody for alleged involvement in anti-state activities.
Earlier today, Commissioner Kohat Syed Jamaluddin convened a meeting of clerics and elders belonging to both sects to defuse tension.
Participants of the meeting from both sides agreed to take action against those involved in the clashes, the administration said.
Furthermore, the meeting also decided to constitute a 26-member committee for establishing law and order in the region.
Speaking to Dawn.com, Jamaluddin said that the grand jirga has agreed to resolve the dispute between the two groups.
The jirga is to be jointly headed by former chief justice of Peshawar High Court Ibne Ali and former MNA Javed Ibraheem Paracha.
The commissioner also said that the curfew would be eased for a 2-hour time window today from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Some officials said it was likely that the curfew may be lifted by 7 am on Wednesday morning.
The IGP also directed authorities to collect the CCTV footage of the incident for further investigations.
Following the jirga, the security forces arrested the accused and started an investigation.
Moreover, the district administration of Hangu announced that the curfew was relaxed in the district and that the law and order situation was under control of authorities.
Markets and shops were open today whereas the ban on pillion riding remained in effect in the district.
