SHANGLA: The Shangla council on Monday accused the district police officer of embezzling Rs4.8 million given by the World Health Organisation to be paid to cops doing duty during the anti-polio campaigns.

Speaking at a meeting of the council chaired of convener Kamran Iqbal, councillors also expressed displeasure for constant absence of line departments` officials from the sessions, and warned to stage demonstrations if the officials did not mend ways.

District nazim Niaz Ahmed Khan was also in attendance.

Sarfaraz Khan, councillor from Ranyal, alleged that DPO Rahatullah was involved in corruption.

`WHO gave Rs4.8 million to police officer to disperse among the cops discharging polio duty, but he withheld the amount,` he alleged, and demanded disciplinary action against the DPO.

Councillor Zakir Khan alleged that the forest department had been given millions of rupees in the name of tree plantation, but did not properly utilise the money.

Akbar Hussain complained that police station in Kabalgram area had been functioning in a tent since long.

Sher Ali Khan urged the line department officials to ensure theirpresencein the council sessions as they were responsible to the district government.

A joint committee consisting of treasury and opposition members was formed by the convener to probe the alleged corruption in the forest department.

Three resolutions were passed, demanding of the provincial government to work for welfare of the Shangla coalminers, working in different parts of the country.

They condemned the provincial government for `slashing` development funds for the local bodies.

On the occasion, the district nazim said a meeting of the council would be held next Monday to review the performance of line departments.

LAID TO REST: An FC constable Bakht Zeeb, who was killed when lightning struck him in Mohmand Agency, was laid to rest in Langbar area on Monday.