Locusts attack crops in Khanewal, Jahanian

KABIRWALA: Locusts on Sunday attacked the areas of Khanewal, Jahanian and their suburbs.

This was the first-ever invasion of massive swarms of the locusts on standing crops and green trees worth millions of rupees spreading on thousands of acres. Residents of various areas were surprised to see the swarms of the locusts, which hovered over the people’s heads and rooftops of the houses.

Agriculture Deputy Director Rana Maqsood confirmed the first-ever attack of massive locusts on the thickly populated areas of the city and its suburbs. He said that locusts were heavy with eggs and they would try to settle somewhere to lay eggs. He asked the people to beat the drums and burn fires.

He said that the swarms were under resting stage due to light rainfall at morning. As the wind was blowing, in such weather, the best treatment, as per officials, was drum beating and physically threatening to the bands to keep them from settling in fields. The officer claimed that locusts would not damage the crops if it settled down for a night in the cropped areas of Khanewal as the locusts only damaged the bushes in the desert areas.

Abducted woman, her son recovered: Police on Sunday recovered an abducted married woman along with her seven-month-old son.

Farzand Ali of Khanewal filed a complaint against accused Muhammad Siddique and Irfan. He alleged that the accused entered his house in his absence and kidnapped his wife Momina Bibi and son Noman. To it, the police arrested the accused from Chichawatni when they were trying to flee to Lahore and recovered Momina Bibi and her son. The police also recovered a pistol from the accused. The police have registered a case and started investigation.

FOUR DRUG PUSHERS HELD: Kacha Khoh police on Sunday arrested four drug pushers and recovered 3,380 grams heroin and 3,060 grams hashish from their possession. The police

conducted a search operation in various areas and arrested Gohar of Chak 30/10R, Shah Jahan of 30/10R, Nadir Hussain of 30/10R and Bilal of Chak 19/9R with narcotics. The police have registered cases.