May 01, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1429

KOHAT, April 30: Chief of Taliban in Orakzai Agency and clerics of 12 out of 18 tribes of the tribal region have issued a decree saying that anyone found involved in robbery, murder and kidnapping for ransom would be hanged publicly.

Sources said that the decision came after the kidnapping of two Sikhs, residents of Orakzai Agency, in Doaba area of Hangu district last week.

The Sikh community living in Orakzai Agency for centuries lodged a complaint with local chief of Taliban.

Later, the Taliban conducted an operation on the identification of one of the victim who managed to escape from the custody of the kidnappers.

One kidnapper was injured during the operation who later succumbed to his injuries while another was captured by Taliban.

Fate of the arrested kidnapper would be decided within a couple of days.

Chief of Taliban in Orakzai Agency, Mullah Hakeemullah and elders from 12 tribes gathered at a mosque and decided that the decision would be formally announced through loud speakers during the next Friday sermons.

The decision was taken in view of the increasing incidents of kidnappings, murders and robberies in the tribal as well as settled area of Hangu.

Taliban and elders of the area signed a joint decree at a mosque in Dabori area of Orakzai Agency, Maulana Amin, a senior member of ulema council of Hangu told this scribe.