PESHAWAR: The internally displaced persons of Khyber Agency on Monday staged a sit-in outside the Governor’s House on Sher Shah Soori Road to demand end to military operation in their area, a comprehensive financial package, early repatriation, and the opening of Bara Bazaar.

They warned they won’t return to their homes until security was provided to them, their destroyed houses were rebuilt, and local schools, hospitals, government offices and Bara Bazaar were reopened.

The protesters, who had gathered there on the call of Tehreek Haqooq-i-Bara, marched from the Peshawar Press Club to the Governor’s House, holding banners, placards and flags of political parties and shouting slogans.

Elders Shah Faisal Afridi and Ikhtiar Badshah Afridi along with the representatives of the IDPs’ camp in Jalozai led them.

They criticised the federal government what they said using delaying tactics to provide displaced persons with quality food and other items of basic need.

The elders said the prolonged curfew had made the people’s life in Khyber Agency, especially in Bara, miserable.

They said IDPs couldn’t even visit their damaged houses and shops and that they had been leading a miserable life in camps for around six years.

The elders alleged that the government was discriminating against Khyber Agency IDPs as they’re denied cash, ration and other items of basic needs unlike those displaced from other parts of Fata, who were provided support until their rehabilitation.

Shah Faisal said the launch of ‘Khyber One’ military operation had added to the misery of displaced tribesmen besides causing fresh displacement.

He complained displaced persons living in tents were denied basic facilities.

The elder also said the items given to IDPs with the UNHCR support were substandard and therefore, an inquiry should be held into it to punish the culpable people.

He demanded withdrawal of orders for the expulsion of IDPs from camps.

The protesters had planned to stay put until their demands were met.

They, however, agreed to disperse after members of the Governor’s House administration showed up and assured them that their ‘genuine’ demands would be met.

The elders announced that the governor had assured them of early resolution of problems and that release of Rs850 million for IDPs.

“The governor has assured IDPs say won’t return until given security, houses rebuilt us that IDPs will be sent back to their homes next month as most of Bara areas have been cleared from militants,” Shah Faisal said.

While announcing the end to sit-in, he said the government had formed the Fata reforms committee to work in consultation with tribesmen to resolve their problems.

Meanwhile, the sit-in caused traffic jam on Sher Shah Soori Road along with Shuba Bazaar and Khyber Bazaar roads stressing out motorists, motorcyclists and commuters.

The police diverted the traffic towards link roads forcing many commuters, including women and children, to march towards their destinations.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play