KHAR: The political authorities on Friday launched a crackdown on tribesmen of Kamangara area in Nawagai tehsil and demolished several houses during the action after the area elders failed to fulfil their collective responsibility to provide protection to the polio workers.

Officials said that the action was launched in response to the attack on a polio team by suspected militants on Wednesday that left one polio worker dead and one wounded. They said that at least eight people were also arrested during the joint search operation of Levies personnel and security forces in the area.

They said that the administration had also imposed different sanctions against the tribesmen of Kamangara area for not fulfilling their collective and territorial responsibilities under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) law.

They said that several shops and other businesses of the people were also closed by the administration. Besides, scores of vehicles were seized by the administration in reaction to the attack.

Meanwhile, Bajaur Agency political agent Mohammad Yahya Akhunzada said that the crackdown on the tribesmen of Kamangara would continue till the handover of miscreants responsible for the attack on the polio team.

Talking to media persons here on Friday, he said that the action against the tribesmen was taken after the elders failed to protect the polio workers.

He confirmed the arrest of several local people and seizure of vehicles during the crackdown and vowed that the action would continue till the arrest of elements involved in the attack.

The official claimed that the anti-polio campaign in the agency was successfully conducted despite the attack on the polio team in the border area on Wednesday. He said that the administration had decided to provide foolproof security to the polio workers in the agency.

Published in Dawn March 21st , 2015

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