KOHAT, March 9: Elders from 18 tribes of Orakzai Agency and Shia community of Kohat and Hangu have called for negotiations between ulema and the government to defuse tension prevailing in the area following the Feb 9 bomb blast in Hangu.

The demand came during a meeting organised by the government at the Police Club here on Thursday to discuss various proposals made by the two large communities living in Hangu and Kohat in an attempt to avert any untoward incident at the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Nouroze festival.

The elders said that the government should tighten security and pay compensation to the victims of the blast and resultant violence immediately.

They said that people were still hesitant to travel through Kohat-Parachinar Road and suggested that more paramilitary troops should be deployed on the road.

Gul Akbar, Dalmand Khan, agency councillor Mazahib Ali, Subedar Amir Jan, Syed Sheikhan and Jalat Khan spoke at the meeting as representatives of tribes.

The other side was represented by chairman of Ittehad bain al Muslimeen and nazim of Ustarzai union council, Syed Mahtabul Hassan and Mian Shah Raza, respectively.

They urged the government to make foolproof security arrangements in Hangu, Kohat and Parachinar for Nouroze and chehlum processions.

Orakzai Agency deputy commissioner Ghulam Habib, agency tehsildar Nek Mohammad and ASP Karim Khan represented the government at the meeting.

The deputy administrator stressed that collective and sincere efforts should be made to establish lasting peace.

He said the only way to foil the designs of terrorists was to live in harmony. He said the Hangu blast was the handiwork of terrorists who had no religion.

He said that both sides should reach an early agreement to open the Kohat-Parachinar Road because those using the alternative route were facing hardships.

The government has been unable to ensure safe passage between Kohat and Hangu for public and private transport. The road was closed after the Hangu blast and violence which claimed more than 40 lives.

The transporters using the alternative route are charging Rs80 and Rs130 against the earlier rate of Rs30 and Rs60.