November 13, 2007	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 02, 1428

LANDI KOTAL, Nov 12: Residents of Sheikhmalkhel area in Bara tehsil of the Khyber Agency continue to migrate to safe places fearing eruption of clashes between two armed groups, sources say.

Two people were killed and four others, including a woman, were injured when activists of Namdar and Takia groups attacked each other with light and heavy weapons a week ago.

Elders of the area told Dawn that at least 300 families had already migrated from Takia and adjoining areas.

The displaced families are compelled to live in makeshift houses.

Murad Saqi, an agency councillor from Sheikhmalkhel tribe, accused the opponents of looting of and carrying out arson attacks on nearly 60 houses.

He said that the Bara political administration had turned a blind eye to atrocities committed by armed activists of the Namdar group.

Personnel of Khasadar force and Mehsud Scouts did not take action against the accused when houses were looted by armed men of Haji Namdar, he alleged.

Mr Saqi said that a mosque was partially damaged and a madressah in Takia village was demolished by the Namdar supporters.

He said the Takia village was now in the control of their opponents and alleged that they were not allowing residents to leave the area.

Elders of the Qamberkhel tribe blamed NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai for growing militancy in Bara tehsil.

They said the governor had failed to stop bloodshed in the area.

A tribal elder, Haji Ghulam Nabi, told journalists in Peshawar that the government should take practical measures to stop fighting between the rival religious groups in Bara.

He said that over 250 people had been killed in the conflict during the last two years, while hundreds of families had left the agency.

He alleged that the two religious outfits had virtually taken control of Bara, set up courts and jails and made local population hostage at gunpoint.

He warned of bloody fighting if the administration failed to wrest the Takia village out of Namdar’s control.