LANDI KOTAL: A jirga of Kukikhel elders on Wednesday asked the Jamrud families, who have shifted to Peshawar, to return to their homes within two days, otherwise heavy fined would be imposed on them and their houses would be torched.

The jirga was held at Pump House in Ghundi attended by Let-Col Asif Iqbal of Swat Scouts, Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah, MNA Haji Shahji Gul and Kukikhel elders.

The jirga called upon all the families who had fled Ghundi area of Jamrud to return to their homes in two days or a fine of Rs1 million would be imposed on each family along with putting their houses on fire.

Addressing the jirga, Let-Col Asif Iqbal urged the Kukikhel tribesmen to cooperate with the security forces for establishment of lasting peace in their area and purging Jamrud tehsil of all undesirable elements.

Speaking on the occasion, Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah said that restoration of peace was the collective responsibility of security forces, political administration and local tribesmen.

He urged the jirga members to play active role in helping the security forces in flushing out militants from Jamrud.

MNA Shahji Gul said that people of Jamrud were peace loving and would not allow anyone to disturb the peace of the area. He demanded of the security forces and political administration to immediately release all innocent Kukikhel tribesmen who had been arrested during search operations.

The lawmaker had earlier said that the Kukikhel tribe would not raise any tribal lashkar or constitute a peace committee in any part of Jamrud tehsil, as according to him establishment of peace was the responsibility of security forces. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2014