300-strong jirga formed to end clashes

Move comes as one killed, several houses burnt in conflict between two tribes in NW

MIRANSHAH:

A 300-strong Jirga of local elders has been assembled under the leadership of Malik Nasrullah Khan Wazir to end the armed conflict between the Bora Khel and Hakim Khel clans in North Waziristan district of K-P.

On Sunday the administration assembled a Jirga under the leadership of chief of Waziristan Malik Nasarullah Khan Wazir which was sent to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Hakim Khel Mubarak Shahi and Marsi Khel tribes who are engaged in a bloody and violent conflict for the control of Norak area. One man was killed and several houses were burnt a day earlier during clashes between the two sides.

Talking to The Express Tribune Malik Nasarullah Khan Wazir said that the Jirga members met both the sides and talked to them about a ceasefire and peaceful settlement of the land dispute.

“Both the sides verbally assured us that they want a ceasefire but the final decision will be made on Monday afternoon after which both the sides will submit sureties with the Jirga locally called ‘tiga’,” he said, adding that chief of Dawar tribe Malik Khan Zeb and Malik Osman are part of the Jirga and they will try to pressurize both the warring factions to bring them to negotiation table successfully.

“There are some rumours circulating on social media that Miranshah bazaar will be vacated due to this conflict but there is no truth in it. These are rumours to torpedo the peace of the district,” he said.

When contacted Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan confirmed the development and said that a Jirga has been formed.

“No one will be allowed to take law into his own hands and create law and order situation in the district,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that land disputes are common and widespread in the tribal districts between individuals and clans and dozens of people are killed due to it each year.

Armed conflicts between the clans are not rare as a large-scale clash was reported from South Waziristan and now a similar dispute is taking place in North Waziristan.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that on Sunday morning the conflict escalated as announcements were made on loudspeakers asking people to join hands with both the sides but the timely action of Jirga prevented it.

“There were fears that the two large clans Dawar and Wazir will eventually take arms against each other but this did not happen,” they said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2021.