Tribes at odds: Waziristan dispute threatens to explode

Zalikhel tribe announced of boycotting forums involving political administration until govt resolves Zalwanai dispute.

WANA:

The security situation in South Waziristan may take a turn for the worse if authorities fail to resolve the dispute of Zalwanai land between Zalikhel and Dinnarkhel tribes.

In a Jirga on Monday, members of the Zalikhel tribe announced they will boycott forums involving the political administration until the government resolves the Zalwanai land dispute. Zalikhel elders declared that anyone found violating the Jirga’s ruling and cooperating with the political administration would be fined Rs1 million in addition to the demolition of his house.

The Jirga also decided to raise a Lashkar of 1,800 armed tribesmen to guard Zalwanai area against members of the Dinnarkhel tribe. The Lashkar, being raised in Wana, is expected to reach Zalwanai soon. Zalwanai is located about 35 kilometres west of the Tank district. The land has been a bone of contention between the two tribes since 1934. Zalikhel tribe considers it to be a part of South Waziristan agency. A Dinnarkhel Jirga staged recently also sought the help of the government against the Zalikhels, asserting that members of the clan had forcibly occupied their land.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2012.