CHARSADDA/TIMERGARA: A protest rally was held in Shakoor village of Charsadda on Monday demanding resolution of the longstanding dispute between the peasants and landowners, which resulted in a bloody clash on Monday last, killing two people and injuring four others.

A large number of peasants, workers and leaders of various political parties, including PTI, JI, ANP, PML-N, PPP, JUI, Uthmankhel Qaumi Movement and Mazdoor Kisan Party participated in the rally.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Arif Ahmedzai and others demanded thorough investigation into the incident and exemplary punishment to perpetrators.

They demanded formation of an impartial inquiry committee under the provincial law minister to probe the incident.

They also called for sorting out the lingering dispute between the peasants and landowners in Shakoor village.

The speakers criticised the district police for failing to avert the clash and demanded transfer of the concerned police officials.

They also sought compensation for the affected families and withdrawal of cases registered against peasants.

The protesters also formed a committee to resolve the dispute between the peasants and landowners.

In Lower Dir, a jirga held in Maidan area on Monday demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to arrest those involved in attacking the house of an elder in Shakoor village of Charsadda.

It is pertinent to mention here that some tribes from Lower Dir and Bajaur Agency have been living in Charsadda village since decades.

The jirga of Maidan Qaumi Ittehad also asked the district administration of Charsadda to ensure safe release of Malik Nadar Khan, who was allegedly taken away by the peasants during the clash. The jirga held at Kumbar, Maidan was attended by workers of different political parties and local elders.

The participants alleged that armed people belonging to a political party attacked the house of Malik Abdul Wahid Khan of Lower Dir, at Shakoor village of Charsadda, killed one Khan Badshah and his sister-in-law, and took away Malik Nadar Khan, a close relative of Malik Wahid.