UPPER DIR: The fisheries department officials on Friday booked five persons for catching fish illegally from Nehaq River despite a ban.

Wali Khan, inspector fisheries department, said they were informed by the department`s employees and Levies personnel about illegal fishing in the river. He said they conducted a raid and caught five of fenders catching fish using an electricity generator.

The of ficial said the accused were booked and a report was submitted to the assistant commissioner Wari for summary trial under West Pakistan Fisheries Ordinance, 1961.

The offenders were identified as Jehangir, Shah Zeb, Sabir, Amjad and Kamal Khan, all belonging to Mulagujar area of Wari.

The of ficial said the fisheries department would also conduct raids in other areas to curb the practice of illegal fishing. He warned that those found involved in illegal practice would be sent behind bars.

ARTIFICIAL HIKE IN PETROL RATE: The people on Friday complained about failure of the district administration to curb artificial hike in oil prices and daily use items.

They said the official rate of petrol was Rs108 per litre, but the filling stations were charging Rs113 per litre f rom motorists. They said they had complained several times to the officials of the administration and the district government, but to no avail.

However, the filling stations` owners said they were bearing an additional amount of Rs5 per litre incurred on carriage, which they had to pass on to the consumers. The consumers demanded action against the filling stations` owners.

Similarly, people complained about artificialincrease in rates of daily use items, particularly fruits and vegetables. They said the food controller did not pay a visit to the markets since the start of Ramazan.Correspondent