SHANGLA: Residents of Tangir area of Bisham tehsil here have demanded of the government to repair the sole suspension bridge connecting Tangir with rest of the district. The bridge over the Khan Khwar River was washed away in the recent floods.

The local people told mediapersons here on Friday that the 150 feet long wooden bridge was rebuilt two years ago, but it had been washed away in the recent floods, cutting off the area from rest of the district as there was no alternative route or bridge to cross the river.

Rehmat Ali, a resident of Tangir, said that the people put their lives at risk to cross the river by stepping on the steel rope to reach their destinations across the river.

He said that Tangir was a densely populated village and many of its residents had to cross the river as they worked as daily wagers in Bisham Bazaar.

Another resident Khan Zaman said that in the current situation their children could not go to schools located across Khan Khwar River. He said that because of the damaged bridge they could not shift their patients to hospitals in Bisham and bring foodstuff from the market.

They demanded of the government and district administration to repair the suspension bridge at the earliest.

PROTEST: Residents of Lilonai here have staged a protest rally against the forest department officials for allegedly insulting their local leader in the office.

Residents of Lilonai and Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf local chapter leaders marched in Alpuri Bazaar and shouted slogans against the forest officials. PTI’s local leader Habibur Rehman, Engineer Miraj and others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers said that the forest department authorities should take action against the staff of Alpuri forest division for their alleged misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Mission Society distributed food packages among needy families in Bisham tehsil on Friday.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2020