LAKKI MARWAT: The members of Takhtikhel peace committee on Friday assured the elders of Marwat Qaumi Jirga that they would use their influence to secure the release of two kidnapped persons of Shakh Quli Khan village and hand them over to the jirga of Marwat tribe within three days.

Eight armed kidnappers belonging to Takhtikhel village had kidnapped the two villagers on Saturday last.

Residents of Shahkh Quli Khan village had formed an armed lashkar to recover the kidnapped men, but they could not make any breakthrough. Later, local police with the help of people launched a search operation in Takhtikhel area, bordering the Frontier Region, Lakki, to track down the kidnappers.

The law enforcers captured several suspects during the operation for their alleged links with the kidnappers, but they could not find any clue to the wanted men and secure the safe release of the two villagers.

Sensing the gravity of situation and to avert any possible clash between the Shakh Quli Khan and Takhtikhel tribes, the Marwat Qaumi Jirga (MQJ) intervened and held meetings with elders of both the sides.

MQJ chief Aslam Khan told this correspondent on phone that the jirga asked the Takhtikhel elders to hand over the kidnapped men to the MQJ, a peace body with representation of chieftains, or get ready to face action of law-enforcement agencies.

He said that the jirga also told the Takhtikhel elders that the jirga elders would be unable to provide any assistance if the government launched operation in the area for recovery of the two villagers. He said that Takhtikhel peace body sought three days time and assured that they would make serious efforts to hand over the kidnapped persons to the MQJ till coming Tuesday.

LACK OF FACILITIES: District development advisory committee chairperson and PTI MPA Ms Zarin Zia visited the government high school, Shah Hasankhel, and basic health units of Nar Muzaffar and Gandi Khankhel on Friday and noted with concern shortage of proper facilities in these institutions.

The visit was arranged following public complaints about lack of facilities and service delivery.

The previous ANP-led government had upgraded Shah Hasankhel to the model village after it was hit by suicide blast in 2010 in which over 100 people were killed. A Rs14.32 million project was approved to set up a new high school for boys and work began in 2010. Later, in Jan 2013 the elementary and secondary education (E&SE) department took control of the incomplete school’s building from the C&W department.

The school is without electricity and water. During her visit, the MPA was told that a formal request for approval of teaching and other staff was sent to the authorities concerned, but it was returned with remarks that posts could not be sanctioned for an incomplete school project.

The MPA also witnessed that a major portion of Nar Muzaffar BHU building was in shabby condition with broken windows, doors etc. The Gandi Khankhel BHU also lacked drinking water and a waiting room for patients. The MPA directed the officials concerned to make arrangements for provision of drinking water at the two hospitals.