Aftermath: Infuriated by empty promises, victims of Swat operation take to the streets

As many as 400 displaced persons still awaiting compensation.

SWAT:

“Sharam Karo, Haya Karo, Moawiza ada karo” were the slogans inscribed on placards during a protest held by victims of the 2009 military operation in Swat on Thursday.

The protest, held in Kabal tehsil, aimed to pressurise the government to release the amount of compensation promised to them. The protesters gathered at Nishat Chowk, from where they marched towards the DCO’s office and staged a sit-in against the injustice.

They were complaining against the Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority and the district administration for delaying the approved reimbursements.

A total of 900 houses were damaged in Koza Bandai union council of Kabal tehsil during the military operation. Some 300 houses were completely damaged. The government had announced a compensation of Rs400,000 for fully damaged houses and Rs160,000 for partially damaged houses, while those injured in the operation were to receive Rs100,000.

However, so far only 500 displaced persons have been compensated, while the remaining 400 are still awaiting compensation.

“It has been four years since our houses were destroyed during the military operation. The government had announced a compensation package for the displaced people but we have still not received any funds,” said, Rashid Ahmed, a resident of Bandai.

“We are sick and tired of the government’s hollow promises now,” he added.

Some protesters even blamed the elected bodies of embezzling millions of rupees from the funds allocated to them.

Mohebul Haq, another protester whose house was destroyed in the operation, said not only have they been deprived of their houses, but their shops and crops were also destroyed during the conflict.

“The elected members are busy accumulating properties in posh areas while we have been left homeless,” he said.

District Revenue Officer Niaz Muhammad Khan, when approached for comments, assured that the remaining people will be paid ‘soon’ in accordance with the government’s policy. The victims warned of blocking the Peshawar-Swat Road if their demands were not fulfilled.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2012.