LAKKI MARWAT: Bittani tribesmen have asked the district administration and police officials to launch action against drug traffickers and resolve land disputes in the area.

The demands were made during a khuli kutchery convened by the additional assistant commissioner, Azmat Ali Khan Afridi, here on Wednesday. Officials of police and line departments attended the session.

Tribal elders shed light on the problems faced by locals in various fields and asked authorities to pay heed to public interest matters.

They demanded of the administration to overcome shortage of teachers in government schools and ensure availability of doctors, paramedics and medicines in health facilities.

Mr Azmat said that district administration, police and other law enforcement agencies were using all available resources to curb drug trafficking, smuggling and other illegal activities.

He said that administration would also make sincere efforts to settle land disputes of tribal people. He said that provincial government was focusing on promotion of education in Bittani subdivision. He added that vacancies of teachers in schools would be filled soon.

He directed health officials to overcome the issue of shortage of doctors in basic health units and ensure provision of medicines to rural health facilities. He said that district administration would not tolerate any laxity in provision of services to citizens.

Also on Wednesday, the additional assistant com-missioner met the elders of Bittani tribe and discussed with them stoppage of movement of OGDCL vehicles by activists of MarwatBittani Tehreek on Tajori road.

The elders apprised him of protesters` problems and demanded their prompt resolution.