BATTAGRAM: The authorities have banned the entry of armed persons to Chorr valley to avert any clash between the tribes of Allai and Kolai Palas.

The decision was made in a meeting held in the office of deputy commissioner here on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Hazara commissioner, DIG, deputy commissioner and tribal elders including Allai tehsil chairman Mufti Ghulamullah, Mohammad Khaliq, Mahajareen, Arshad Khan, Mohammad Quraysh Khan, Naeemullah and others.

Mufti Ghulamullah told Dawn after the meeting that earlier that week a Allai tribes held a jirga in Banna and decided to safeguard their lands in Chorr valley from tribes of Kohistan. He said the meeting was called by the district administration after the jirga announced the decision.

He said a year ago, the people of Kolai Palas intruded on Chorr valley and killed their cattle. The tribes of Allai and Kolai Palas had a dispute over the ownership of Chorr valley since long that also led to clashes between them in the past.

Mufti Ghulam said that the elders demanded of district administration to declare Chorr valley the property of Allai tribes, otherwise they would be compelled to take up arms and safeguard their land from illegal occupation.

He said that policemen were also deployed to stop people of Allai from visiting the valley due to chance of armed clash but people of Kolai Palas were intruding on Chorr valley without any restriction from government side. The jirga asked the administration to stop people of Kolai Palas from visiting the valley.

The administration told the elders that no one would be allowed to go to Chorr valley with arms as Section 144 was already imposed in the area.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2023