Jalozai camp: IDPs demand basic facilities, threaten self-immolation
For the 52nd consecutive day, dozens of IDPs from Bara tehsil protested outside Governor House on Monday against the government’s apathy towards their problems. They were holding banners and placards urging the government to address their concerns.
The tribesmen, who have formed Tehreek-e-Mutasireen-e-Khyber Agency (TMKA) to voice their concerns, demand basic living facilities in Jalozai IDP Camp and registration of all those people who were displaced from Bara due to the military operation.
Three IDPs on condition of anonymity told The Express Tribune that they have been protesting for the past 52 days but the government has not paid any attention to them. One of them threatened to commit suicide if their demands are not accepted by Tuesday (today).
Hundreds of families from Qamar Khel and Bara have been at Jalozai camp for the past five years, said the displaced person.
Another IDP, Gulab Khan said they have spent 42 days outside the Peshawar Press Club and 10 days outside Governor House but no government representative has offered to mediate as yet. “The governor is enjoying the luxuries of his office and has forgotten the IDPs of Jalozai camp,” Khan added.
TMKA Chairman Haji Muhammad Iqbal who is leading the protest camp said that over 7,000 families in the Jalozai camp are facing numerous problems since the camp lacks basic facilities like utilities, food and healthcare.
He added so far only 950 families have been registered and the remaining still await registration and government assistance. Iqbal warned they will protest outside Governor House till Tuesday (today) and will announce a future strategy if their demands are not met.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2014.
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