BATTAGRAM: Elders belonging to tribes of Kolai-Palas and Allai tehsil during a jirga agreed that no one from the two sides will intrude into the disputed Chorr Valley and that they will accept the commission’s report on the issue.

Tension gripped the area after a video allegedly went viral on social media showing armed men belonging to local tribes intruding the valley.

Chorr Valley remains disputed between Kolai-Palas and Allai tehsil tribes.

The jirga was held at the DC office which was attended by deputy commissioner Abdul Hameed Khan, DPO Tariq Mehmood Khan, MNA Mohammad Nawaz Khan Allai, elders of different tribes, AC Allai and revenue department officials to develop a consensus on peaceful settlement of the dispute.

After a brief discussion, the jirga announced that both parties would not intrude into Chorr Valley while its status will remain the same as according to the previous record.

Elders announce to resolve the issue peacefully

It was stated that tribes of Allai tehsil and Kolai-Palas would not send their armed men to Chorr Valley for any reason.

All elders through a consensus nominated 15 members to go to any neutral forum for further dialogue and resolve the dispute peacefully.

The participants were also told that a video showing 300 armed men intruding Chorr Valley was fake, which was an attempt to make the dialogue process controversial.

The DC and DPO asked the elders of Allai and Kolai Palas tribes to ensure no video or audio messages regarding the valley dispute got viral on social media.

The elders said that they would accept the report of the commission formed earlier to resolve the dispute, judicial orders, revenue department’s directions and FBR report to settle the dispute peacefully.

The jirga unanimously announced that shepherds who came from Punjab and other parts of the country during summer season and bring their cattle herds would be welcomed to visit the valley like past.

The Chorr Valley is located on the boundary of Battagram and Kolai-Palas districts and tribes of both the districts claimed its ownership.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2021