SARGODHA, Sept 26: The province in general and the district in particular is facing an acute shortage of anti-rabies vaccine.

Reports said Munawar alias Abid Abbas (12) of Kot Mosa was bitten by a mad dog about a month ago and due to the non-availability of vaccine, his condition became worst on Friday night.

The boy started biting his family members, including mother, maternal aunt, maternal grandmother, sisters and brothers. Abid died on Saturday morning and his family contacted almost all civil hospitals of the district but could not find the vaccine.

When this correspondent contacted EDO (Health) Dr Mazhar Rasheed, he said the government had neither supplied the vaccine nor directed to purchase the medicine.

Taking notice of the gravity of the situation, the district health officer inoculated 12 family members of Abid on Sunday after purchasing the vaccine from the market. Social circles have demanded of the government to ensure provision of anti-rabies vaccine at rural health centres at the earliest.

ORDERED: Taking a serious notice of the alleged gang-rape incident, the DIG has ordered the Bhalwal ASP to arrest all the four accused of Sheikhpur village.

Reports said Ehsan, Gulzar alias Nasir, Nasar and Shakeel, hailing from an influential family, had allegedly gang-raped 'N' the other day in the presence of her father. In another incident, Amanullh and Sher Muhammad of Bonga Surkharoo village kidnapped 'M' and gang-raped her. Meanwhile, the area people have accused the police of protecting the criminals who belong to an influential family.

It may be recalled here that the DIG had suspended the SHO for illegally detaining a person for pressurizing him to withdraw a case against influential people. The political elite got the SHO reinstated and appointed him at the same police station.

KILLED: A six-year-old girl, Nayab Mehwish, died after falling into an open manhole here on Sunday in Muradabad Colony. Criticizing the cantonment board, the area people have demanded registration of a murder case against the responsible sanitary workers.

FOUND DEAD: An unidentified man was found dead in Mela Mandi ground here on Sunday. This is the second incident of killing in the Mela Mandi ground during the last 24 hours.