Four held for illegal digging of riverbed for sand, gravel.

LAKKI MARWAT -- Four people were arrested on Saturday for digging bed of the Tochi River in Bannu illegally and supplying sand and gravel from there to construction sites.

An official said that the action was taken on the directives of deputy commissioner Aun Haidar Gondal following complaints about illegal digging along the Tochi River.

He said that a team of officials of the mines and minerals development department led by additional assistant commissioner Shakil Khan raided the place and arrested four people engaged in the illegal mining activity. He said the arrested men included Mohammad Khalid, Mir Dil Khan, Rehmatullah and Noor Syed who were shifted to Bakkakhel police station.

The officials also seized heavy machinery from the site while the police registered a case against the accused.

AVAILABILITY OF FOOD ITEMS: Deputy commissioner Fazal Akbar has asked the officials of his administration and food department to ensure availability of food items in bazaars and markets of Lakki Marwat.

He issued these directions during a meeting of the district price review committee at his...