LANDI KOTAL, Sept 8: Assistant Political Agent of Bara has vowed to flush out criminals from Bara tehsil and eradicate smuggling from areas under his jurisdiction. Talking to newsmen in his office on Wednesday, Bara APA Syed Zaheerul Islam said he was monitoring law and order situation in Bara and was aware of the activities of various groups of smugglers.

He said he was also aware of the fact that government writ was never strong in the Khyber Agency, particularly in the remote Tirah Valley. About the performance of recently formed peace committee in Bara, the APA said that so far the peace committee's performance was satisfactory, but he was aware of the fact that some criminals were being provided cover by the committee members.

He said that people of good repute from various walks of life would be included in the peace committee. He said that strong action would be taken against anti-social elements.

Mr Islam said that the government was striving to open up more tribal areas which were so far considered inaccessible by initiating development schemes there. He said his administration was able to reopen Chora-Tirah road and Sheen Qamar-Tirah road after these roads were closed some times back after tribal disputes.

As regards developmental schemes in Bara tehsil, he said that from now onwards development schemes would be carried out by communities only and the old system of awarding such schemes to elders or individuals was done away with. He stressed upon the press community to identify loop holes in the system and come forth with constructive criticism.