LANDI KOTAL, Dec 28: The councillors of Bara in Khyber Agency have demanded release of a colleague and an immediate end to load shedding in the Agency.

In a meeting held in Bara on Tuesday, the councillors criticized the arrest of Shaukat Afridi by the political administration.

Mr Afridi was among the 20 tribesmen arrested by the Bara administration on November 2. The meeting demanded that the NWFP governor should ensure safety of the nominated councillors. It also decided to convene a meeting of all the councillors from Khyber Agency on January 6 to evolve a joint strategy in this regard.

The participants said that on the hand they were being empowered to carry out developmental schemes and on the other hand these representatives were made a target in the name of restoring peace.