Whisked away: Govt employee kidnapped in Lower Kurram

Turi and Bangash tribes vow to support govt, continue peace pact.

PARACHINAR:

After a recent surge in the kidnapping of teachers and government employees in Kurram Agency, the fear of tribesmen increased when another government official was kidnapped by unidentified militants from Alizai tehsil on Saturday.

An official of the Lower Kurram Agency political administration said Sadif Hussain Tori, a technician at a government veterinary hospital, was on his way home when militants intercepted his vehicle and kidnapped him.

After the incident, a jirga of Alizai tribesmen was convened where elder Haji Sultan Ali said kidnapping incidents of tribesmen have increased. He added that on Monday a schoolteacher, Muntazir Hussain, was allegedly kidnapped by militants and his family was asked to pay Rs30 million as ransom.

Haji explained that three months back, another man, Ramzan Tori, was kidnapped from Bagan area of the agency and was released when the family paid Rs1.5 million to his abductors.

The tribesmen demanded that the political administration in Lower Kurram take action against the culprits and that both the teacher and the veterinary technician should be released as soon as possible.

Press conference on peace

In a news conference by Turi and Bangash elders, tribesmen decided to cooperate with the government to restore peace in the region.

Maulana Syed Akbar Jan along with Master Moin, Syed Nazar Hussain and other tribal elders held the conference at Parachinar Press Club and said security forces and the political administration had restored peace in the area, and decided to work with them for the greater prosperity of the region.

The tribesmen said security forces have thwarted militant attacks in the area a number of times and rescued people after natural disasters, adding the government should take action against those that are against the peace process.

We will try to help the government in taking action against anti-peace elements in the region, claimed elders, reiterating their commitment to ensuring the peace agreement between the Bangash and Turi tribes remains intact.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2014.