KARAK: Residents of Showanki, Kurd Sharif and other localities held a protest demonstration against the lease holders of local mines for not providing death grants to the families of two deceased workers.

The protesters marched from Kurd Sharif to the mines where they staged a demonstration and blocked the road leading to the mines.

The protesters alleged that coal and silica had been discovered on their lands but the companies were giving only Rs1,000 per month to the landowners, and demanded payment of Rs1,000 per loaded truck leaving the mines. They demanded payment of Rs500,000 grant to the families of the deceased workers.

OUTLAWS ARRESTED: Local police claimed to have arrested over 60 suspects, including two proclaimed offenders, and recovered weapons and drugs during a search and strike operation in Banda Daud Shah here.

According to a press release issued from the district police on Tuesday, identity of the two POs, who were wanted by police in cases of heinous nature, could not be ascertained. Police also recovered a Kalashnikov, a repeater, a rifle, three pistols, four chargers and 105 cartridges from the possession of the two POs and another59suspectsarrested during the operation.

Police also arrested drug peddlers and seized 1,430 gram hashish and 16 gram heroin from their possession. Thirteen non-custom paid motorcycles were also impounded.