GHALLANAI (Mohmand Agency), Dec 2: The marble mining operation in the Mohmand Agency was suspended on Monday after some tribesmen opened fire on miners.

Speaking at a joint press conference here on Tuesday, office- bearers of the Mohmand Agency Tribal Mine Owners Association, headed by Haji Ihsanullah, said that the exploration work had been suspended after members of the Adinkhel tribe opened fire on workers at the Ziarat marble mines.

He said that a truck that was caught in the crossfire fell into a ravine injuring two persons, including the driver.

Mr Ihsanullah said at least 43 contractors had obtained marble mines contracts through open bidding and the exploration for the mineral had been initiated five years ago.

He said that on every vehicle taken out of the agency, contractors were paying Rs900 to the agency’s administration and Rs1,000 to the provincial mining department.

He said that a tribal jirga had already declared these 43 marble mines undisputed, allowing these contractors to continue their exploration.

He alleged that on Monday, the people of Adinkhel tribe blocked the road and opened fire on trucks, carrying marble. He said that the mining activity had been suspended and the contractors had withdrawn their workers.

Haji Ihsan urged the NWFP governor and the agency’s political agent to negotiate with elders of the Adinkhel tribe and allow the contractors to resume work. He feared a huge loss to the investors if the dispute was not resolved immediately.