MANSEHRA: Residents of various localities took to the streets on Monday, demanding the relocation of the city`s slaughterhouse from a densely populated area to a more suitable location.

`Many people are suffering from different diseases because butchers dump offal and other animal waste in the open,` AbdulAziz Khattana told protesters gathered in the Batdarian area.

The demonstrators shouted slogans in support of their demand for immediate action.

`We have met with the tehsil municipal officer, requesting the relocation or closure of the slaughterhouse, but to no avail,` Mr Khattana said.

He warned that if their demand was not met, residents would block theShinkiari Road in protest.

Mr Khattana urged the deputy commissioner to take notice of the deteriorating sanitation conditions, warning that an epidemic could spread across the city and its suburbs if urgent action wasn`t taken.

`With the hot summer around the corner, the government should take precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of viral and other infectious diseases,` he said.