Police arrest 422 people in Hazara for defying Section 144

ABBOTTABAD: As many as 422 people were arrested for violating Section 144 in all the eight districts of Hazara Division in the last 24 hours, police sources said on Monday.

The sources said the police registered 344 cases against those defying the ban on the movement of public transport. The police registered 115 cases in Haripur, 99 in Abbottabad, 114 in Mansehra, 14 in Battagram and two in Lower Kohistan. It was learnt that 169 people were arrested in Haripur, 124 in Abbottabad, 121 in Mansehra, six in Battagram and two in Lower Kohistan.

Meanwhile, talking to The News, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Hazara Range Qazi Jamilur Rahman said that he had directed the district police officers to take action against the violators of the Section 144. He expressed deep concern over the movement of the people particularly in the rural areas. The official said the Hazara Police had been trying its best to convey the message to the public to stay at home.

“We are implementing the government’s directives. More than 800 vehicles were also impounded to stop free the movement of traffic,” he added. He said the police along with the Pakistan Army held a flag march in a bid to urge the people to adopt the preventive measures and stay home to contain the spread of the deadly virus. The official asked the police to ensure social distancing and prevent the people from gathering at public places.