KOHAT: Hundreds of children and their elders on Wednesday protested against the delay in reconstruction of a primary school building in Boraka area here as students are forced to take classes in the open.

The authorities had razed the dilapidated building to raise a new structure, but the delay in its construction forced the children, their parents and other residents to come onto the roads. They reached the Martyrs Square in the Kohat city on scores of vehicles.

Pir Shah Nawaz, a social activist, and Shah Mehmood, who were leading the protesters, said 13 children started bleeding on Tuesday while taking classes under the scorching sun.

They regretted that despite promises, the school’s reconstruction was being delayed.

However, the protesters dispersed after additional assistant commissioner Nisar visited them and assured them that the construction work on the school building would start within days.

In a separate development, the Shakardarra police arrested a man on Wednesday for assaulting a 12-year-old girl on Sept 4.

Amanullah, the father of the victim, had reported to the police that he was passing through a street when he heard screams of her daughter from a nearby house. He said when he went inside he saw a man, Ahtesham molesting his daughter. The complainant said the man fled the scene after seeing him.

The police registered an FIR against him under sections 376 and 53 of the Child Protection Act.

SHO Irfan Afridi said the doctors had confirmed she had been assaulted. He said after the arrest the culprit was presented before a court, which remanded him into their custody for further investigation.

ABABEEL FORCE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat inaugurated the Ababeel Force in Kohat during a visit to the command and control centre here the other day.

A statement issued on Wednesday said the IGP termed the command and control centre as essential to curb street crimes, carjacking, and ensure security in bazaars and educational institutions.

He was accompanied by Kohat division DIG Sher Akbar Khan, district police officer Farhan Khan, and other police officers. He also took rounds of the city bazaars under protocol.

He instructed the police high-ups to pay extra vigilance through CCTV cameras to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2023