KOHAT: A jirga of Ustarzai tribe on Sunday demanded shifting of checkposts from settled areas to the adjoining tribal belt and early resolution of the disputed land between the Kachai and Mishti tribes of Kohat and Orakzai Agency.

It is to be recalled that Misthi tribe of Orakzai has been excavating coal from the disputed site until recently when authorities issued orders suspending the coal mining on the demand of the Kachai tribe in anticipation of any untoward incident.

Both the Kachai and Mishti tribes claim ownership of the land. DSP headquarters Sanobar Khan, who called the jirga on the directives of DPO Abbas Majeed Marwat, said the tribesmen had promised to open the Kachi-Marai road, but after passage of several years it was still blocked for people of the settled areas.

On the occasion, local nazim nazim Mehtabul Hassan said due to closure of the road the people who had relatives on both sides of the road faced difficulty in attending marriage functions and funerals.

District councillor Shah Raza said the whole 60 kilometre belt from border area of Darra Adamkhel in Kohat up to Dalan of Thall tehsil of Hangu district was disputed, and an ordinance to this effect was issued during the rule of military dictators Gen Ziaul Haq.

The jirga demanded that all work on the mines should be abandoned till resolution of the matter. The elders also demanded shifting of checkposts between Kacahi and Marai into tribal area and establishment of a police post at Kachai to thwart threats from tribesmen. They said that de-weaponisation campaign launched in the region had proved futile, and urged the government to provide them safety of life property.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2018