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| December 10, 2005 | Saturday | Ziqa’ad 7, 1426 |
Elders say illegal FM stations fanning hatred
LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Dec 9: Elders of the seven tribes of the Bara tehsil on Friday unanimously demanded the closing down of all FM radio stations in the area and expulsion of two religious leaders from Bara. The tribal elders in a joint statement issued here accused the two religious leaders, Mufti Munir Shakir and Pir Saifur Rehman, of fanning sectarian hatred through speeches broadcast on illegal FM stations installed in different localities of the Bara tehsil in the Khyber Agency.
The elders criticized the political administration for its failure to take any action against the illegal radio stations. At least seven such stations were operating in Bara.
They warned of an inter-tribal bloodshed if the propaganda campaign started by the two leaders against each other was not stopped forthwith.
Sources said that both Mufti Munir Shakir and Pir Saifur Rehman were openly engaged in character assassination of each other.
The two leaders however rejected the accusations and claimed that their stations were only being used for religious preachings.
To ensure a peaceful environment in Bara, it was imperative to expel the Mufti and the Pir from the area, demanded the Bara elders through a resolution.
Meanwhile, hundreds of armed supporters of Pir Saifur Rehman held a protest gathering in the Sipah area on Friday and asked Mufti Munir Shakir to leave Bara in three days or face expulsion. They also warned that the houses of those who tried to provide protection to the Mufti would be demolished.
The Mufti’s supporters had held a meeting in Nala, Malikdinkhel area and assured him of their support. They warned that any effort to forcibly expel the Mufti from Bara would be resisted.
The Mufti was expelled from Kurram Agency a few years ago for his alleged extreme views against the Shia community, while the Pir is also considered as an outsider by most Bara residents as he had settled down in the area during the Afghan war.
The local administration had on a number of occasions tried to close down the radio stations but could not succeed.
GIRL KILLED: A minor girl was killed when she was hit by a water tanker in Landi Kotal on Thursday.
Seven-year-old Zaitoon was carrying water to her house near the Hospital Chowk when the water tanker hit her. She died on the spot.
Landi Kotal political authorities arrested the driver and impounded his vehicle.
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