LANDI KOTAL, Oct 4: The Khyber Agency political administration has deployed additional security forces in Bara to effectively implement a ban on display and carrying of arms in the area, official sources said.
An official of the Bara political administration, Roshan Khan, told Dawn that the number of security forces would gradually be increased as additional forces were also required in Jamrud tehsil where the administration had started construction of official buildings over a controversial land in Shah Kas area.
Initially, forces were deployed at the entry and exit points of Bara bazaar where the administration had imposed a ban on carrying arms in July last year.
The administration also fortified the FC checkpoints on roads connecting Bara to Sheikhan, Alamgudar and Shalobar.
Some of these checkposts were ransacked by activists of the Lashkar-i-Islam a few weeks back.
Meanwhile, the administration has restarted the construction of a Levies Complex and offices of the political administration in Shah Kas area of Jamrud tehsil under strict vigilance of Mehsood scouts and the newly raised Levies force.
The Khyber Agency political administration had acquired nearly 550 kanals of land for the purpose and paid compensation to the Katiakhel sub tribe of Kukikhel, officials said.
But the Bar Qambar Khel elders of Bara tehsil insisted that the land belonged to them and had also forcibly stopped the construction work some four months back.
Officials said that the Bar Qambarkhel tribe had no documentary proof to their claim and thus they had no right over this land.
RESTRICTION: The Lashkar-i-Islam has made wearing of cap obligatory in all parts of the Bara tehsil.
While issuing a new ‘edict’ on his FM radio, Lashkar Amir Mangal Bagh said that a fine would be imposed on those who violated the order.
He advised Bara residents to close down their business centres and shops during prayers time and must go to mosques.
