SARGODHA, Feb 5: Gambling is being patronized by some elected representatives under the garb of games at a funfair, some Jamaat Islami leaders have alleged , adding that some railway officials had rented out land to the alleged gamblers from Gujranwala, Lahore and Kohat.

District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon however told this reporter that he had not permitted anybody to hold a funfair on railway grounds, and had directed the DPO to check any illegal or anti-social activity.

He said he would not hesitate to take action against any illegal, immoral and anti-social activity even if some elected representatives felt annoyed. He added that he would also direct the tehsil Nazim to disallow such anti-social activities.

Tehsil Nazim Dr Liaqat Ali Khan told this reporter that he had not allowed gambling. He however admitted that some members of tehsil council were annoyed when he refused to allow installation of a gambling stall on railway grounds.

The owner of an amusement stall on railway grounds said he had set up the stall with the permission of district and Tehsil governments and also had a high court stay order in his favour. He said he was providing cheap entertainment in the form of a skill game, which could not be termed gambling.

He alleged that police were creating problems for him.

FOUR KILLED: Four people were killed in and around the city during the last 24 hours in three separate incidents that included an honour-killing.

One Qasim was shot dead by his friend Mujahid in Islampura over a petty dispute. When the offender was overpowered by passers-by, he committed suicide.

One Umer Hayat killed his sleeping sister at 119-NB early in the morning by hitting her with a spade. He suspected that she had illicit relations with a youth of the area.

At 121-SB, seven people, allegedly headed by Haroonur Rasheed, shot dead Muhammad Sharif on Wednesday night over a Chowkidara dispute.

SAFETY BUND: Kandan and adjoining villages of Shahpur tehsil are under a constant threat of erosion as work on a safety bund on the river Jhelum started with an estimated cost of Rs40 million has been suspended.

Residents of Kandan have urged the government to complete the construction of the safety bund otherwise, they apprehend, the fertile land and houses will erode in the forthcoming summer.

IRRIGATION: The Punjab government will spend Rs81 billion to improve the irrigation system particularly upgradation of barrages up to international standards besides renovation and improvement of the canal system. This was stated by Punjab Irrigation Minister Aamer Sultan Cheema while talking to newsmen here on Thursday.

He said the government had started construction of small dams and water reservoirs to overcome water shortage.