FAISALABAD, June 7: The local truck owners' association has threatened to stage demonstration against alarming increase in the incidence of highway robbery. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under the chair Malik Abdul Sattar, the association president, on Monday.

The meeting noted with concern that the trucks and other vehicles were being taken away almost daily in the city and its suburbs and police had failed to take measures to arrest the trend. Besides, it said, drivers and conductors were being deprived of cash and valuables.

The meeting alleged that the truck drivers were being fleeced by policemen at pickets on highways, which had become a safe haven for robbers. The participants demanded of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to take stock of the situation and direct the authorities concerned to ensure foolproof security measures on highways.

KILLED: A woman was axed to death by her husband over a minor issue at Chak 220-RB in Saddar police station precinct on Monday. Reports said Abdul Razzaq quarrelled with his wife, Firdaus Bibi, over some issue after which he axed her. The woman suffered serious injuries and died instantly. Police claimed to have arrested the man and recovered the weapon from him.