Ikram Siddique
SWAT: A group of tourists returning from Saidu Sharif and other cities was forced to turn back in Kalam after alleged obstruction by members of the local Jeep Association, officials and eyewitnesses reported.
The tourists were in four coaster buses heading for Mahodand Lake in their journey from Sargodha. But they were stopped during their journey by some officials of the said association. The officials told them that local jeeps would be required to complete their onward journey.
سوات، کالام میں مقامی لوگوں کی من مانی کے باعث سیاحوں سے بھری 4 کوسٹرز واپس لوٹ گئیں۔ سیاح مہوڈنڈ جا رہے تھے کہ مقامی لوگوں نے انہیں روک کر کہا کہ آپ ہماری جیپوں کے ذریعے مہوڈنڈ جائیں گے pic.twitter.com/O5RRH7TEEl
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Some tourists reported that they were obstructed from going further using their vehicles and faced verbal abuse in front of women and children, forcing them to go back.
The police officials including SHO of Kalam reached there but the tourists reported they did not get complete help from them.
According to sources, action is being taken under law against the culprits obstructing the tourists. Residents and members of the civil society condemned the act and demanded that strict action should be taken against them in order to preserve the image of Kalam as a tourist spot.
