KOHAT: The newly-merged tribal districts and Darra Adamkhel tehsil of Kohat region will get full administrative setup and offices within six months. The government was facing some problems in getting land for setting up of offices in the tribal areas, but talks were on with the elders and the matter would be resolved soon.

Talking to Dawn, regional police officer, Kohat, Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said that Kurram and Orakzai districts and Darra Adamkhel tehsil had been combined with old Kohat region, which only comprised Kohat, Hangu and Karak.

He said that after the appointment of district police officers the DSPs (selected from respective areas) had also been assigned duties. As many as 39 police officials, including DPO, have been deployed in each tribal area.

The RPO said that the services of police assistance lines, police access service and dispute resolution councils would soon be introduced in the merged tribal areas with Kohat region to facilitate the tribesmen. The DRCs would replace the jirga system which is still in vogue and matters would be decided by the selected tribal elders without taking money as was the culture earlier.

Meanwhile, the administration issued alert after recent spell of rains and asked the relevant departments to be prepared for any emergency. The Hangu district has received heavy rains in the recent spell.

Chairing a meeting on Thursday, Hangu AC Shahid Rafique Gandapur directed the officials of tehsil municipal administration and irrigation, communication and works and other line departments to devise a strategy to cope with the situation and keep their machinery ready.

He said that protection of lives and property of the people was the responsibility of the state and no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2019