Reminding the government: Kokikhel tribesmen demand IDP status

Say they were registered, but not as displaced people.

JAMRUD: Kokikhel tribesmen demanded the status of internally displaced persons (IDP) on Thursday as they were unable to access their native Tirah Valley. They threatened to close down the Pak-Afghan route for all sorts of traffic if the government ignored their demand.

Elders displaced from their native villages in Tirah and currently residing with relatives in Jamrud assembled at the local press club and shared their tales of misery.

Malik Zeena Gul, Asghar Khan, Khaista Jan Abdalkhel, Malik Jan Sikandarkhel, Haji Arman Shah Meena Khel and others pointed out that thousands of Kokikhel tribesmen were forced to abandon their homes in August and September last year when military operation Khyber-I was launched. The tribal elders said they were registered at different check posts in Khyber Agency, but not
as IDPs.

The speakers said these displaced people knocked on every civilian, military and political door, but were ultimately left with little choice except to protest.

Answering a question, the tribal elders said since the government announced the repatriation of displaced people to Tirah Valley and Bara tehsil, they decided to hold a meeting to remind authorities of their responsibilities.

They also threatened to stop cooperating with the government if their demands were not met in the coming days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2015.