SWAT: As many as eight suspected arsonists have been booked on charges of allegedly being involved in setting fire to the forests in various parts of district Swat, police officials confirmed.
On the other hand, fresh incident of wildfire was successfully brought under control in Marghazar, Teghak and Shoqdara areas of the district.
According to additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Arshad Khan, eight persons have been arrested who were allegedly involved in setting fire to forests, adding that cases have been registered against the accused.
“We have registered cases against 24 four persons since the first week of June, who were allegedly involved and they have been arrested. The investigation is underway against the culprits”, he said, adding that some untoward incidents happened due to the negligence of the locals. He appealed to the local to be vigilant and help the police department in pinpointing the criminals.
According to rescue spokesperson, in the month of May at least 10 cases of wildfire were reported. However, in June another 75 cases were reported which were doused off by the rescuers along with levies and district administration officials. “On Tuesday, fire incidents were reported in Tighak and Shuqdara areas of the valley. The rescue department with the assistance of local community carried out operation and succeeded in extinguishing the fire”, said Shafiqa Gul, Spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Swat. She added that two hundred and fifty persons were taking part in fire-fighting operations.
District Forest Officer Waseem Khan told this scribe that since May, two hundred and twenty one hectors forest trees have been burnt down by wildfire in swat region, adding that ninety eight percent of the burnt forest was the communal property.
