NOWSHERA, March 25: A man was killed and 25 others were injured during a clash between police and people displaced from Bajaur protesting for acceptance of their demands.

Over 41,000 people, who had to leave their homes in Bajaur and Mohmand tribal regions after military operation was launched there, have since been living in Jalozai camp. Now that the operation has ended, the displaced people are demanding compensation before returning to their homes.

The trouble began when hundreds of people marched towards Pabbi town and blocked the main highway. Police used batons and tear gas and fired into the air to disperse the mob.

The protesters pelted police and vehicles with stones, damaging a police van and 20 private cars.

According to police, six constables were injured. Nine protesters were taken into custody.

Representatives of the displaced people criticised police for what they called unwarranted use of force.

They said that they had already sought police permission for holding a protest meeting.

But police officials said that some of the protesters wielding iron rods had tried to snatch guns from constables. They said police opened fire in self-defence after a group of protesters had surrounded a police party headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Aziz Khan who had taken refuge in a petrol station.

The district coordination officer said in a press note that around 1500 to 1600 people had gathered on the main road and some of their leaders, including Haroon Rashid of Jamaat-i-Islami, addressed the protesters.

In their speeches, it said the leaders rejected a call given by Political Agent of Bajaur to return their homes. They said they would return only after complete restoration of peace and enforcement of Sharia in their area. They were also demanding Rs500,000 compensation for each family to get their damaged houses and property repaired.

The press note said that when the protest was about to end, someone in the crowd opened fire which resulted in the death of a protester. Police said former MNA Haroon Rashid and eight others had been arrested and were being interrogated.

The protesters, most of them carrying batons, attacked police personnel and damaged private vehicles. They also fired on police, the press note added.
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