Chitral, Pakistan: the 2nd day of raids and arrests in the small town of Ayun where some 100 people have been arrested in connection to the protest rallies against the timber mafia, corruption in forest department and deforetration in the area.
The series of protests started some 2 months back when the masses came out against the corruption and reckless deforestration, that is being conducted by the timber mafia.
18 people from the town were arrested last November in connection to these protest rallies but later on they were released on bail.
A few days back , when the negotiations between the locals and district administration failed, Chitral Police has been called in and semi-curfew has been imposed in town and without any search warrants, the security forces have started raiding houses and arresting innocent people illegally, au contraire, without brining into consideration the concept of veil and wall, according to reports.
Yesterday a peaceful rally by women and children received severe tear gas shelling and aerial firing, as a result some participants fainted who were not alllowed to be taken to nearby health facility.
Ayun, it is the gateway to Kalash valleys, with the population of 16, 000 people and the 2nd day of curfew left the area in severe shortage of basic necessities.
As a matter of fact due to reckless deforestration by the timber mafia & corruption of forest department in the area, last year floods have left numerous homeless where as bridges and houses were also washed away in Kalash valleys and Ayun.