Moving on: With peace not in sight, IDPs buy property elsewhere
Say they lived amid constant fear in their native villages.
It is good to live in peace now; sleep carelessly and have no danger of being caught in crossfire, says an IDP. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
Some internally displaced persons (IDPs) have abandoned the hope of returning to the tribal areas where they once resided peacefully.
Driven out of their homes by militancy and consequent operations, the families were left feeling homeless for years. And as prospects of peace being restored in the region still appear dim, many have purchased property in Dag Behsud, a non-descript village in Nowshera located close to the Jalozai refugee camp.
Most of these families hail from the now troubled Khyber Agency. A resident of Landi Kotal, Ayub Khan said he shifted to Dag Behsud along with his family two years ago. His family purchased around 300 square yards of land at a rate of Rs595 per square yard to build a house on. “This area is very peaceful and we like it.”
Noor Zaman from Tirah valley left his native village along with his family two and a half years ago. Zaman said he and his five brothers purchased about 1,210 sq yards to settle in Dag Behsud. “We have built four houses on the property for our family.”
He added that around 12 families from Khyber Agency have brought property in Dag Behsud, but others estimated the number to be nearer 70.
Zaman said the biggest fear that compels IDPs to leave their homes is banned militant outfits. “Our people hate them,” said Zaman while referring to Mangal Bagh’s Lashkar-e-Islam.
He said locals of Tirah are under immense pressure from both militants and the government. Militants demand extortion money, while security forces shell their homes with artillery. He is also happy his children can go to secondary school, adding that there is no school beyond 4th grade in Tirah.
However, the memories of his native land are still vivid in his mind and Zaman hopes to return there someday. “We will return to our village when peace is restored and the roads are open.”
Adam Khan, who is also from Tirah, initially rented a house in Khan Bahadar Garhi area of Dag Behsud when he first moved here 10 months ago. He later sold family valuables, including jewelry, and took a loan to buy 907.5 sq yards of land to build his house.
Adam now works as a labourer and remembers the days he spent working on his fields, which earned him a better living. But he has not forgotten the price of comfort. “It is good to live in peace now; sleep carelessly and have no danger of being caught in crossfire.”
The residents of Dag Behsud have been supportive of the IDPs so far. A local, Muzammil Shah also donated a piece of land for the construction of a mosque for them.
Some, however, are resentful of the influx. “We will face problems because of these people,” said Wahid Ali Shah. He thinks there will be a sharp rise in kidnapping for ransom, thefts and other crimes in the village.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.
Some internally displaced persons (IDPs) have abandoned the hope of returning to the tribal areas where they once resided peacefully.
Driven out of their homes by militancy and consequent operations, the families were left feeling homeless for years. And as prospects of peace being restored in the region still appear dim, many have purchased property in Dag Behsud, a non-descript village in Nowshera located close to the Jalozai refugee camp.
Most of these families hail from the now troubled Khyber Agency. A resident of Landi Kotal, Ayub Khan said he shifted to Dag Behsud along with his family two years ago. His family purchased around 300 square yards of land at a rate of Rs595 per square yard to build a house on. “This area is very peaceful and we like it.”
Noor Zaman from Tirah valley left his native village along with his family two and a half years ago. Zaman said he and his five brothers purchased about 1,210 sq yards to settle in Dag Behsud. “We have built four houses on the property for our family.”
He added that around 12 families from Khyber Agency have brought property in Dag Behsud, but others estimated the number to be nearer 70.
Zaman said the biggest fear that compels IDPs to leave their homes is banned militant outfits. “Our people hate them,” said Zaman while referring to Mangal Bagh’s Lashkar-e-Islam.
He said locals of Tirah are under immense pressure from both militants and the government. Militants demand extortion money, while security forces shell their homes with artillery. He is also happy his children can go to secondary school, adding that there is no school beyond 4th grade in Tirah.
However, the memories of his native land are still vivid in his mind and Zaman hopes to return there someday. “We will return to our village when peace is restored and the roads are open.”
Adam Khan, who is also from Tirah, initially rented a house in Khan Bahadar Garhi area of Dag Behsud when he first moved here 10 months ago. He later sold family valuables, including jewelry, and took a loan to buy 907.5 sq yards of land to build his house.
Adam now works as a labourer and remembers the days he spent working on his fields, which earned him a better living. But he has not forgotten the price of comfort. “It is good to live in peace now; sleep carelessly and have no danger of being caught in crossfire.”
The residents of Dag Behsud have been supportive of the IDPs so far. A local, Muzammil Shah also donated a piece of land for the construction of a mosque for them.
Some, however, are resentful of the influx. “We will face problems because of these people,” said Wahid Ali Shah. He thinks there will be a sharp rise in kidnapping for ransom, thefts and other crimes in the village.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.