Repatriation process: 203 IDPs return to S Waziristan homes

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN:

Some 203 internally displaced persons returned in a convoy to their homes in Lower Madijan and Shin Warsak areas under the watchful eye of law enforcement agencies.

According to the political administration, at least 1,300 families have so far resettled into their homes in Sarokai tehsil since a new phase of repatriation began on March 16.

The move came in the wake of a change made by the political administration and security forces in the schedule for the returning IDPs.

Most of the IDPs returned to Sarokai tehsil’s areas including Molay Khan Sarai, Deeba, Daandakach, Pir Kilay, Pastay, Old Sarokai, Lower Madijan and Shin Warsak.

According to the new schedule, at first the IDPs of open areas from Spin Kai Raghzai to Kot Kai woul return to their areas while from March 24 the displaced people from Kotkai to Sararogha areas would return to their homes.

For the current repatriation plan, 4,937 families have registered themselves. Every returning family is to get Rs10,000 through a SIM.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2015.