Protest continues in Shangla for third day

Decry provision of compensation to ‘fake victims’

SHANGLA: Residents of Shangla took to the streets for a third consecutive day against the local government on Tuesday.

They urged the government to take action against those people who had received compensation through fraudulent means. The protesters blocked Swat-Besham road in Alpuri for two hours.

“The district administration distributed cheques to those who are not deserving,” said Jehan, a protester.

The demonstrators held tokens that were given to them by the Pakistan Army to show that they were still waiting to be compensated.

Adalat Khan, another protester, said survivors of the earthquake had faced countless problems due to heavy rain and snowfall. Furthermore, many victims are still living under the open sky and have not received food or compensation.

“Representatives of the local government are also involved in the distribution of compensation through fraudulent means,” he said. “This has left the actual victims in a disadvantaged position.”

When contacted, Alpuri Assistant Commissioner Taimoor Khan said a large number of affectees whose names have not been included on the list want to be given due compensation. “The district government has arrested 24 fake victims who were demanding relief items,” he added.

The district administration eventually convinced demonstrators to end their protest by assuring their demands would be met.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2015.