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| 17 May 2004 | Monday | 26 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Lashkar to enforce registration
WANA, May 16: The Ahmadzai Wazir tribe formed a 4,000-strong lashkar to force foreign militants believed to be hiding in the South Waziristan agency to get themselves registered as a deadline set by the administration for the purpose ended on Sunday.
The laskhar would go into action on Monday, tribal elder Malik Dost Mohammad Tojikhel told a jirga held here to review the situation arising out of the inability of tribal militants to persuade the foreign elements to register with the administration.
However, the lashkar which appeared to have been formed under pressure from the authorities lacks the enthusiasm and vigour seen during a similar exercise last month when the government suddenly halted the operation and began negotiations with the militants.
Malik Dost Mohammad said that the lashkar would move against the foreign militants and, at the same time, would continue to hold talks with their representatives.
He alleged that a number of tribal Maliks and ulema, and even some militants, were trying to dissuade the foreign militants from coming up for registration and scuttle the whole exercise.
He warned that the tribal jirga would move against people obstructing the registration process. The jirga would impose a fine of up to Rs1 million and demolish their houses, he added.
Credible sources said that top tribal militant, Nek Mohammad, who was granted clemency along with other militants under the Shakai agreement on April 24, was down with malaria.
The sources said that he was trying to contact the authorities to tell them that the foreign militants were ready to get themselves registered. But, the sources added, the General Officer Commanding of Kohat, Niaz Khattak, and the political administration had refused to see him because the deadline had already ended, and the militants must show up for registration, or face action.
Meanwhile, according to analysts here, the situation in Wana is not conducive for the lashkar to move against the militants and produce positive results.
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