CHITRAL: People of Simtich village blocked the road to Terich valley in upper Chitral early on Monday to press the government for payment of land compensation which has been pending for last one year.

It is to mention here that the communication and works department had acquired the land of the villagers to divert the Terich road through the village as the riverside road was washed away in July 2015, but the local people still await compensation.

The villagers had earlier given a one-week deadline to the government for payment of compensation and had warned to close the road if their demand was not met. When contacted, Assistant Commissioner, Mastuj, Hameedullah Khattak told Dawn that he had reported the situation to the C&W department time and again but to no avail.

He said the people were justified in their stand as their land had been acquired for road construction without compensating them. However, he said he would request the protesters to reopen the road and give some more time to the government.

Dispute claims life

A man was killed and another sustained critical injuries as a result of cross fire between the people of two villages in Kalash valley of Bumburate on Monday.

A police official told Dawn that the incident took place in the forest of Achholga over its ownership between the residents of Palawanandeh and Batrik villages.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2016