KHAR, Jan 22: Tribal leaders belonging to various political parties have vowed to continue their protests against the US unless the Bush administration tendered a public apology for the killing of innocent people in Bajaur Agency on Jan 13. Speaking at a protest demonstration held at Tanni Khwar in Mamond tehsil here on Sunday, they criticized the conflicting statements of ministers which, they said, had confused the situation and badly dented the image of the country.

Those who spoke at the meeting included JUI-F leader and MNA from Bajaur Agency Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, ANP’s Malik Attaullah Khan, PPP’s Akhunzada Chatan and others.

The speakers said that the air strike and the killing of innocent children and women had exposed America’s in humane policies. They called upon Gen Pervez Musharraf to resign as army chief and president because he had failed to help secure the borders of the country.

They said that the territorial and air space violations by American forces had become common practice but the government was ignoring the situation. They said that no foreigners were hiding in the Bajaur Agency, adding that if there were any then the government should point them out and the tribesmen would extend all cooperation to the political administration to expel these elements.

They said the US government should apologize for the killing of tribesmen and pay compensation to their relatives and heirs.

Tribal leaders said that if the political authorities tried to prevent the opposition leader and other politicians from visiting the agency, the responsibility for any ugly situation would rest with the government.