HANGU:
Tribesmen from Orakzai Agency took out a protest rally, on Monday, demanding that the government provide them basis facilities and reopen roads so they can go back to their homes.
The protesters said they have been homeless for the past three years and have been living like refugees in Hangu, deprived of their fundamental rights. They said their children could not go to school and there were no medical facilities to speak of.
The tribesmen took out a protest rally that culminated at the press club. They said the government has stopped giving out food packages to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) for the past many months. IDPs have been routinely protesting against the shortage of food items.
Security forces launched a large-scale operation in Orakzai Agency, forcing the people to flee their homes and seek refuge in Kohat and Hangu. Many thousands of IDPS have returned to their homes in the past year.
The protesters said the Shahu check post has been closed, cutting them off from Orakzai Agency and demanded that the surface link be restored to allow them to return to their homes. Tribal representatives said the government should compensate them to some degree for their sacrifices.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2012.
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