Cheques distributed in Upper Dir, Battagram

DIR/BATTAGRAM: The Second installment of compensation cheques was distributed on Sunday among the heirs of those killed in the earthquake and the injured.
The ceremony was held at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Dir town.Heirs of nine deceased received cheques worth Rs0.6 million each. Each injured received Rs100,000 cheques. The number stood at six.
Deputy Commissioner Zakaullah Khattak said 20 deaths had been reported in the Upper Dir and the number of injured was 160.Member Provincial Assembly Sahibzada Sanaullah said the compensation for destroyed houses was very little and he would take up the issue with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, who is visiting Upper Dir today.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Malakand, Major-General Nadir Khan and Malakand Division Commissioner Usman Gul also visited Upper Dir.Both the officials went to the army brigade in Panakot where they were given briefing about the fresh situation, sources said.
They said the GOC directed the officials to facilitate earthquake affected people and also take part in the rehabilitation process.Our correspondent adds from Battagram: The district administration distributed cheques among the people who suffered severe injuries due to the earthquake that struck the country on October 26.
Deputy Commissioner Zariful Maani distributed the cheques to the affected people.Initially, some 40 people were reported to have sustained severe injuries in the district. However, after evaluation only seven persons were confirmed severely injured in the earthquake. They were given Rs 100,000 each.
Speaking on the occasion, Zariful Maani said that survey of the damaged houses was in progress and teams were dispatched to remote areas. He said that 400 houses were reportedly damaged and 60 houses collapsed in the district.
However, he said, the number was expected to be lower than the reported figure.He ordered an inquiry and registration of FIR against a man who reportedly demolished the boundary wall of his house to enroll himself as an affecttee.The payment of compensation for the damaged houses would begin today.