LANDI KOTAL: The security forces on Sunday imposed curfew in parts of Bara, causing closure of main roads and affecting free movement of people. Sources said that curfew was imposed around Bara bazaar without any prior intimation to the local people.

The security forces, however, relaxed the curfew from 6am till 8am in the morning and from 4pm to 6pm in the evening in order to facilitate movement on Bar Qambar Khel road.

Local residents said that the sudden curfew restrictions greatly affected students who could not reach their schools on time. Long queues of vehicles were seen on different roads as they were stopped by the security forces due to curfew restrictions.

Security forces had only recently reopened the two main roads leading to Bara.

In Jamrud tehsil, meanwhile, security forces arrested 15 people, including students and government employees, during a search operation.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Bara traders met MNA Muhammad Nasir Khan and demanded of him to play role in reopening of the Bara market which has been closed for last six months. The delegation headed by Maqbali Khan apprised the MNA that the continuous closure of Bara market had rendered nearly 10,000 local businessmen bankrupt.

The tribesmen regretted that not a single trader had been given any compensation by the government despite repeated promises made by the concerned officials.

The delegation warned of an indefinite protest if their demands were not met. The lawmaker expressed the hope that Bara market would soon be reopened.

Published in Dawn, September 15th , 2014