BAHAWALNAGAR: Police have registered a case against six people for refusing anti-polio drops for their children in Fort Abbas. Like other parts of the country, resistance to the anti-polio campaign surfaced in the district this week wherein Lady Health Worker (LHW) Abida Nazir reported to the health authorities that in Chak 264-HR Tasawwar, Munawwar and Abdul Latif not only refused to get their children administrated anti-polio drops but also tried to manhandle her and other team members.
On her complaint, Fort Abbas police registered a case under Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) against Tasawwar, Munawwar and Abdul Latif. Police arrested Abdul Latif.
In another incident, LHW Nargis Imtiaz complained against Ashraf, Aslam and Arshad, all residents of Chak 285-HR. Fort Abbas police registered a case under Section 186 against them and arrested Ashraf. Interestingly, the police offered the two arrested men to get their children vaccinated against the crippling disease and they would be released but they refused to bargain.
According to the police, Ashraf and Latif said the police could take action, whatever it deemed legal, against them but they would not get their children vaccinated. According to them, the anti-polio campaign was an international conspiracy against the Muslims.
Bahawalnagar District Coordination Officer Syed Irshad Husain said the continuous anti-polio campaigns aimed at eradicating the crippling disease from Pakistan and the government was committed to making the campaign successful at any cost. Those creating hurdles in a polio-free Pakistan would not be tolerated.
MPA Naeem Ibrahim said such resistance stemmed from ignorance and propaganda. He said he would visit the families to convince them on the issue.
District Police Officer Athar Ismail Amjad said polio teams would be provided security and those hampering the drive would be taken to task. He said the remaining accused would be arrested soon.
(Daily Dawn)
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