Controversial air raid: Waziristan tribesmen end three-day protest
At grand jirga political agent promises compensation for heirs of victims.
After the jirga, Utmanzai tribesmen ended their protest and reopened markets. PHOTO: FILE
MIRAMSHAH:
A three-day long protest ended in the North Waziristan tribal region on Monday after successful talks between the political administration and local tribesmen.
The protest started against the killing of five Utmanzai tribesmen in a bombing raid by helicopter gunships in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan on January 17.
Hundreds of tribesmen gathered at Mir Ali Bazaar after the air raid and launched protests against the political administration and security forces. All educational institutions and markets remained closed during the three-day strike.
A grand jirga was convened on Monday, where Political Agent Siraj Ahmed Khan promised compensation to the heirs of the victims within three days. Heirs of each deceased persons will receive Rs50,000, while each injured tribesman would get Rs20,000.
After the jirga, Utmanzai tribesmen ended their protest and reopened markets.
The political agent welcomed the deal. “It is a good omen that local tribesmen adopted a positive approach for resolving the issue for peace in the region,” he said. Elders from all Wazir and Dawar tribesmen living in 11 tehsils of the agency were invited to the jirga.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
A three-day long protest ended in the North Waziristan tribal region on Monday after successful talks between the political administration and local tribesmen.
The protest started against the killing of five Utmanzai tribesmen in a bombing raid by helicopter gunships in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan on January 17.
Hundreds of tribesmen gathered at Mir Ali Bazaar after the air raid and launched protests against the political administration and security forces. All educational institutions and markets remained closed during the three-day strike.
A grand jirga was convened on Monday, where Political Agent Siraj Ahmed Khan promised compensation to the heirs of the victims within three days. Heirs of each deceased persons will receive Rs50,000, while each injured tribesman would get Rs20,000.
After the jirga, Utmanzai tribesmen ended their protest and reopened markets.
The political agent welcomed the deal. “It is a good omen that local tribesmen adopted a positive approach for resolving the issue for peace in the region,” he said. Elders from all Wazir and Dawar tribesmen living in 11 tehsils of the agency were invited to the jirga.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.