PESHAWAR: Security personnel Thursday arrested 17 people, who were found busy in purchasing relief goods being provided to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and then selling them in the market.

According to a handout issued by Emergency Response Unit established by the government of NWFP for monitoring and controlling the relief operation, all the accused were sent to the jail and further investigation against them is underway.

The names of the arrested persons are Muhammad Khan, Liaqat, Nasir, Abdullah. Amanullah, Farooq, Salman, Khan Zarin, Sardar Gul, Amanullah, Dilawar, Asad, Daulat, Sadadullah, Sabz Ali, Muhammad Ayub and Noorul Wahab.

The ERU has already taken notice of reports of pilferage of relief items, and has directed law enforcement agencies to arrest elements found selling food and other items provided by donor agencies and philanthropists.

Acting on the instructions of Provincial Relief Commissioner and ERU Incharge Mohammad Azam Khan police have arrested alleged brokers and sent them to jail.