Clash over chromite mine in Bajaur
Armed clashes between the villagers and a local man have intensified after the man occupied a chromite mine and expelled the miners by force here in Barag Tehsil of Bajaur tribal district of K-P.
Armed clashes between the two groups started when local villagers decided to restart a chromite mine for which the miners have obtained a legal lease from the government. It had been closed down by force by a local Niaz. On this Niaz and his men started firing at the villagers. The fire was returned and developed into a full-fledged fight between the groups.
“Local people are paid their share from the royalty paid by the miners but this man has not only closed down the mine by force for the past two years but also is not allowing any one to reopen it,” said a local villager while talking to The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2021.