LAKKI MARWAT: The government has released 54 tribesmen who were arrested by the police during a clash with Janikhel protesters near Tochi Bridge, Bannu, on Wednesday last, said provincial transport minister Malik Shah Mohammad Khan on Saturday.

The minister told mediapersons that Janikhel elders had demanded release of the arrested men during talks with the administration and police authorities and tribal chiefs of other tribes and the government accepted their demand.

The negotiations between the administration and Janikhel elders remained inconclusive on the fourth consecutive day as the protesting tribesmen stayed along Baran Bridge.

The tribal chiefs from Ahmadzai and Utmanzai, headed by provincial transport minister, were trying to break the deadlock in talks so as to settle the issue.

A government team led by Bannu deputy commissioner Mohammad Zubair Niazi and DPO Imran Shahid will again meet Janikhel elders on Sunday (today).

A jirga of tribal chiefs from other tribes will assist the government team.

The minister said that the government was taking serious steps to resolve the problem peacefully.

“The tribesmen from Janikhel, Bakkakhel and Ahmadzai tribes are like brothers and they will resolve all issues with mutual consensus,” he added.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2021