KOHAT: After a polio case was detected here on Thur­sday, the Kohat administration arrested the father of the affected child because he had refused to get his child vaccinated against polio when vaccinators visited his home. Two health supervisors and a patwari have also been taken into custody for showing negligence in performing their duty.

Three-year-old Moham­mad is the second victim of polio in Dhodha area of Kohat district this year.

Deputy Commissioner of Kohat Riaz Khan Mehsud told Dawn on telephone that he issued orders for arrest after an inquiry revealed that the father of the affected child, Mullah Mohammad Yousuf, had not allowed vaccinators to give polio drops to his son.

Also read: Bill Gates sees eradication of polio: 'Spotlight's on Pakistan'

The arrested government officials were identified as health supervisors Shehzad Mir and Zarjanan, and the patwari of the area, Mohsin Iqbal.

The deputy commissioner said all detainees had been sent to Dera Ismail Khan jail under Section 3 of the MPO.

He said 56 people had so far been arrested this year for refusing to get their children vaccinated against polio.

Also on Thursday, two men were arrested in Kohat for not allowing vaccinators to give polio drops to their children. They were identified as Amir Khan and Hassan Khan.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play