MEHRABAN KILLI, May 17: The Khyber Agency political administration has destroyed poppy crop in more than 400 kanals in the Tirah valley. The administration convinced the elders of Jamrud tehsil to persuade tribesmen to voluntarily destroy poppy crops in Ghundi, Chora, Mehraban Killi, Abdulkhel, Serhai, Sra Vela, Sor Kass, Vacha Vana and Tangu areas.

Jamrud Assistant Political Agent Amjad Ali told this correspondent that poppy had been cultivated over 15 acres in Ghundi and five acres in Chora village, which was destroyed.

The authorities were facilitated in the campaign by the recent construction of roads in the remote valley.

The administration rooted out more then 50 per cent of the banned crop in Mehraban Killi, Abdul Khel Killi and Serhai.

A resident of Serhai village, Haji Niaz Mohammad, said he had destroyed poppy grown on his fields of 20 kanals and he intended to cultivate some other crop. He said the growers needed financial support from the administration to abandon poppy cultivation.

Another resident, Malik Zardad, demanded more development funds for the area and recruitment of youth from there in the Frontier Corps and Khasadar force.

The assistant political agent said the anti-poppy campaign would continue.

He met the elders of Sor Kass and Vacha Vana at the Tarkho Kass rest house and asked them to motivate farmers in their for destruction of poppy crop.