TIMERGARA: Residents of Lugman Banda have complained that their village comprising a population of over 5,000 has constantly been neglected in the development projects by the successive governments.

Talking to journalists at Khall, the elders, including Malik Hayat Khan, Izharul Haq Yousafzai, Anwarul Haq, Mohammad Zeb and Raj Mohammad, said there was no middle or high school for girls in the area.

They said majority of local youth turned to drugs and negative activities due to non-availability of playgrounds.

They complained that staff of the local basic health unit was performing duties somewhere else due to which poor residents were forced to take their patients to DHQ hospital, Timergara that was 40 kilometers away from their village.

The elders said a higher secondary school for boys was established in the area two years ago, but teaching staff wasn`t appointed there, forcing the students to travel long distances for getting higher education.

They said roads linking Lugman Banda with rest of the district were not black topped for years which troubled people during rains and snowfall.

The elders demanded of the PTI-led provincial government to immediately upgrade the BHU and appoint staff at the higher secondary school. They also called for construction of sport stadium for youth in order to prevent them from turning to negative activities. They said they wanted to get their daugh-ters and sisters educated but due to lack of education facilities majority of girls gave up education after passing grade 5.

PAINTING CONTEST: A painting competition among students of pdvate and government primary schools concluded here on Sunday.

A private educational academy had arranged the competition at Malik Muzafar Khan memorial cricket stadium, Ouch in which students of government and private primary schools from different parts of Lower Dir participated.

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by parents, teachers and elders of the area. A prominent poet Professor Iqbal Shakir was the chief guest on the occasion. He distributed medals and certificates among the position holder students.

The students displayed their hand made paintings, portraying Islamic and Pakhtun cultures, religious and national personalities and showing an urge for peace in their works.

Irum, a disabled 5th grade student from Chakdara, got first position in the competition.

Addressing the function, Iqbal Shakir appreciated efforts of the organisers of the competition, giving little students a chance to exploit their talents as artists and painters.

Mr Shakir said the students should create innovative ideas so they could compete at international level.

He also distributed prizes among the organisers.

Other speakers said students and youth should be encouraged to actively participate in healthy competitions like games, music, poetry and paintings.