June 7, 2005	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1426

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GHALLANAI (Mohmand Agency), June 6: The main road in Lakaro tehsil remained blocked for two hours on Monday as a mark of protest by some schoolchildren. The youngsters had blocked the road to protest against the political tehsildar whom they accused of delaying issuing domicile certificates to them.

The students, who belonged to different schools, told journalists that the political tehsildar was delaying issuing domicile certificates to them on different pretexts.

“Some of us have applied for the domicile certificates more than a month ago, but the officials concerned have not processed the applications yet,” they said.

They said the political authorities had asked them to sign an affidavit in which they had to pledge to the authorities that their tribes would not cultivate poppy. They said they were also required to pledge to the authorities that if their fellow tribesmen grew poppy, the administration would fine them Rs100,000.

The protestors told the journalists there was no way they could guaranty compliance on behalf of the whole tribe to the conditions set by the political authorities.

“Such a guarantee should be demanded from the tribal elders, maliks and other influential tribesmen who are close to the administration,” they said.

The students, however, lifted the blockade when tribal elders and political tehsildar assured them that their applications would be processed without any further delay.

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