Internally displaced persons: SWA ready for big homecoming

The repatriation process will start from April 30.

TANK:

The South Waziristan Agency (SWA) political administration has finalised arrangements to repatriate 694 internally displaced families to their hometowns.

The focal person for internally displaced persons in the local administration told APP that more than six hundred families from Servikai and Ladha subdivisions registered themselves with the authorities for the upcoming repatriation process, which will start from April 30. The registration deadline ended on Wednesday.

The transition return process will take place at Rata Kulachi Stadium, Dera Ismail Khan and Kaur transit camps in Tank, the official said.

SWA Assistant Political Officer Hamidullah Khattak said that the families had been registered for repatriation to areas including Siplatoi, Chagmalai, Madeena Mor, Ganra, Kot Kai, Spinkai Raghzai, Mandana, Noi Kach and Murghi Band villages of Servikai and Ladha subdivisions.

He added that two registration points have been set up for this purpose at the local political administration compound.

Khattak said that the local authorities, in collaboration with the Pakistan Army, were utilising all resources for the resettlement of inhabitants who had fled their native areas after the anti-militant Operation Rah-e-Nijat.

He added they were exploring “all possible options” to help the repatriating families resettle, and were arranging for “all necessary civic facilities” including health care, potable water, electricity supply and education facilities.

The senior administrative official noted that in addition to the reclamation of agricultural land and livelihood means, a comprehensive survey had also been conducted to assess the damage from last year’s floods and heavy rains in the region.

An SWA official added that the army has deputed teams of medical professionals to provide treatment and medicines to these people, while relief goods and cash amount of Rs25,000 would also be provided to each repatriating family.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2011.