SWABI: The anti-polio campaign will be resumed in the district on Tuesday after finalisation of elaborate security measures, according to officials.

Dr Yaqoob, the district in-charge of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said that it was decided to resume the campaign after discussing the matter with district administration. The teams of vaccinators were informed about the decision, he said.

Sources said that police officials, health authorities and deputy commissioner took stock of the situation and discussed all aspects, especially provision of security to vaccinators, during a meeting.

The anti-polio campaign in Swabi tehsil was halted soon after the destruction of EPI centre by suspected militants on Friday.

Dr Yaqoob said that a fresh campaign would be started from Topi tehsil and the incomplete drive in Swabi tehsil would be completed later. However, he was not in a position to say when the incomplete campaign in tehsil Swabi would be resumed.

“We have constituted 129 teams for Topi tehsil. All arrangements have been finalised and the teams will move to their respective fields early in the morning on Tuesday (today),” Dr Yaqoob said.

Other officials of health department and district administration said that they were determined to resume the anti-polio campaign. “Police have taken appropriate steps to provide security to teams of vaccinators,” they said.

In a related development, the doctors and paramedics here on Monday called off their strike in a general body meeting and demanded of the authorities to arrest the killers of Dr Yar Mohammad.

The participants of the meeting said that they did not want to make patients suffer. They said that doctors were being targeted in the district and it was their right to demand security.

Sources said that administration would impose ban on pillion riding in the district during the polio campaign. “It would be announced soon,” said an official.

Meanwhile, a complete shutter down strike was observed by traders across the district on Monday to protest imposition of fines on them.

The call for the strike was given by Anjuman-i-Dokandaran (AD) that was endorsed by traders and business community of the district.

The markets and shopping centres remained closed in all major cities and towns including the district headquarters, Topi Bazaar, Shewa Adda and Chota Lahor.

The protesting traders were monitor the situation and warning their colleagues through loudspeakers to stay away from the markets.

The teams constituted by the traders monitored the strike for the whole day.

Also, a heavy contingent of police was deployed in the district headquarter to control law and order.