MANSEHRA: A resident of Haran Palas in the Kohistan region has demanded police protectionfor his son over the issuance of an assassination decreeby alocaljirga.

Mohammad Tahir told reporters on Monday that a jirga in Kolai-Palas ordered the killing of his son and a local girl under thechorcustom for `bringing dishonour on the community.

He said a `death squad` formed by the jirga had killed the girl and was searching for his son.

Mr Tahir, a school headmaster, claimed his family knew about the jirga`s decree only after the squad stormed its house to seize his son.

`They [armed men] warned us of dire consequences incase we failed to hand over our son to them for killing,` he said.

The resident said the slain girl`s family lodged an FIR on the matter but settled it out of court afterwards.

He said the Constitution promised protection for people`s lives, so the police should take steps without delay for the safety of his son.

`I recently requested the deputy inspector general of police in Hazara Range through an application for the protection of my son`s life. He sent the application to the district police officer of KolaiPalas with the orders for action against suspects,` he said.

Mr Tahir also called for the government`s effective measures to eliminate the Chor custom.