April 18, 2007	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 29, 1428

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MANSEHRA, April 17: The Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Torgar Levies have launched a joint operation to destroy poppy crop in the tribal area of Kala Dhaka, it is learnt on Tuesday.

Sources said that the tribal administration of Kala Dhaka launched the operation and destroyed the standing poppy crop in Mara Madakhel amid tight security after talks between administrator Tasleem Khan and tribal elders failed.

The sources said that some of the elders, who had received compensation money, destroyed their crop voluntarily, but others resisted the drive. FC and Torgar Levy personnel overpowered them and destroyed their crop cultivated over 600 kanals. Meanwhile, ANP District president Nimroz Khan claimed that the government did not serve notice on poppy growers before launching the drive. He warned that the move could create a law and order situation.

He said that destroying poppy crop during the night was dangerous as anti-government sentiments were running high among the tribes of Salimania, Mujady, Zareef, Tada, Amma Gary and adjacent areas. He urged the government to forthwith stop the drive, pleading that the people of the area had no other source of income.