BAJAUR/MOHMAND/KOHAT: Tribesmen in different areas of Bajaur and Mohmand districts announced on Monday to boycott the ongoing anti-polio drive over delay in completion of road projects in their localities.

In Bajaur, the residents of Enzari area of Khar tehsil boycotted the campaign over delay in completion of Lowi Sam-Anbar road. The protesters blocked the road for some time.

They alleged that construction work on the road, which was launched three years ago, had been suspended for the last two years. They said that they informed relevant officials and lawmakers about the issue, but to no avail.

Sources in district administration and local health department, when approached, said that some residents of Enzari area did not allow polio teams to administer vaccine to their children.

Officials say talks under way to resolve the issue

An official said that efforts were under way to convince them to end the boycott.

Similarly, residents of remote Nazar Mena locality of the hilly Barang tehsil also boycotted the ongoing anti-polio drive to protest suspension of work on a road project.

They claimed that work on three-kilometre Warsak-Nazar Mena road was launched on November 6, 2021, which was stopped on June 6, 2022.

In Mohmand district, tribesmen of four villages of Halimzai tehsil on Monday announced to boycott the ongoing polio campaign over delay in completion of a road in the area.

They said that work on Khapakh border highway had been stopped for the last six years, which created numerous problems for them. They said that the decision to boycott the campaign was taken by a committee of elders of Sultankhel, Barokhel, Surdag and Prata villages.

They complained that district administration had assured them before each polio campaign that work on the road would be resumed, but to no avail. They said that the boycott would continue till work was resumed on the road.

Similarly, the people of Ambar tehsil also boycotted polio campaign to seek construction of Ambar to Ekkaghund road.

Assistant Commissioner Usman Hamza, when contacted, said that talks were held with the locals and the issue would be resolved soon.

The district health communication and support officer, Mohammad Younas Khan, said that district administration and police held talks with people to end the boycott.

In Kohat, the residents of Boraka, who had boycotted the campaign on its first day on Monday over non-construction of a demolished primary school, agreed to conditionally allow resumption of vaccination after holding a meeting with the deputy commissioner.

The deputy commissioner, Abdul Kalam, summoned the elders of the area and relevant officials on Monday and gave approval for construction of a new building for the school.

The school was demolished five years ago by the administration after it was declared dangerous. However, students continued to receive education in the open.

Mr Kalam approved the construction of two classrooms and a boundary wall of the school to allow resumption of polio drive. Locals ended the boycott on the condition that work on the school building would be started without any delay.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2024