SIALKOT, Jan 13: The people of 85 bordering villages on Thursday re-built the 15-metre long temporary wooden bridge over River Tavi near Bajwat on self-help basis.

Now the villages have been re-connected with the rest of the Sialkot district as it is the only way of transportation for the villagers.

More than 120 local farmers and landlords spent a day in restoration work and re-built the bridge over the river. Two years ago, the bridge was swept away during a high level flood in the river.

Almost six months back, the federal and provincial governments had announced construction of a bridge costing Rs160 million over River Tavi, but work on the project had not yet been started.

LOOTED: Four alleged proclaimed offenders along with their accomplices stormed into the houses of their rivals here on Thursday at Miani village, beat up the inmates and took away cash and valuables. Reports said Ansar Shah, Khalid, Shakil, Khadim Hussain and their accomplices went to the houses of Muhammad Ashraf, Muhammad Anwar and Arshad.

They held hostage the women and children, beat them up and made off with gold ornaments, cash and other valuables worth Rs500,000. The accused spread harassment in the village by aerial firing. Police have registered a case with no arrest.

MEETING: A delegation of Sialkot international airport, headed by Punjab Industries Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema, will call upon Shaukat Aziz at the Prime Minister's House, Islamabad on Friday (today). Mr Cheema will brief the prime minister about the development and hurdles in construction of the airport.