Shaban alleged a colonel of the militia ordered his men to open fire on the locals, as a result of which a woman was killed. PHOTO: FILE
Tribal elders Malik Ghulam, Malik Asghar Hussain and Malik Shaban said the people from their tribes wanted to begin construction on their land, but the militia interfered and allegedly snatched the locals’ guns in a scuffle.
Hussain said this aggravated the tension between the two sides. Shaban alleged a colonel of the militia ordered his men to open fire on the locals, as a result of which a woman was killed.
Shaban added the locals of Balishkhel and Khar Kallay have repeatedly voiced their concern, demanding non-locals be expunged from the community’s land, but to no avail. He claimed former political agent of Kurram Agency Baseer Khan had also ordered to demolish illegal structures in the area, but it did not materialise.
“With the passage of time, the number of encroachments multiplied. However, the government was not serious about resolving the long-standing issue,” said Shaban. He added they were compelled to take action on their own in order to retrieve their land, but the militia sided with the rival group.
Shaban said the woman killed in the firing was 50 years old. He demanded the political administration to take prompt action to expel non-locals from the area, adding inaction would further disrupt peace.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2013.
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