UPPER DIR, Dec 2: Stray dogs have bitten over 30 people, including a Levies man, in the district during past few days. The Levies man, Mushtaq Ahmad, was bitten by the stray dog at the deputy commissioner`s office, where he was performing duty. An ambulance driver, Mohammad Zeb, was also injured by stray dog near the deputy commissioner`s office.

Both of them were taken to the district headquarters hospital. Medical superintendent of the hospital Laig Zada said that six victims of stray dog bites had beenbrought to the hospital.

He said anti-rabies vaccine was available at the hospital and all of them had been vaccinated.

He, however, said stray dogs needed to be eliminated as they posed serious threat to people`s health and life.

Meanwhile, 25 people were also bitten by stray dogs in Bibyawar, Barawal and Darora areas of Upper Dir.

DISPUTES RESOLVED: Coordination committees of Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment have resolved several disputes among people in outof-court settlement.This was informed at a meeting of the coordination committees of 12 union councils held at the district bar room here.

Representatives of these committees said they resolved several disputes in their respective areas through local jirgas.

Hakimullah from Barawal said they resolved a prolonged water dispute between two groups.

Similarly, Gul and Zahid Rawan from Tarpatar said they settled a dispute over a generator through ajirga.In Ganori, Allama Iqbal said a blood feud was resolved bythe jirga.

WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLLS:Leaders of different political parties agreed on Friday to ensure participation of women and youth in the upcoming local government elections.

They were speaking at a ceremony held to launch `Jamhori Maidan Programme` in three districts of Malakand division, including Upper Dir.

The ceremony was organised by the Association for Behaviour and Knowledge Transformation with the collaboration of British High Commission.