KHAR, April 15: Tribesmen have voluntarily started destroying poppy crop in Brang tehsil of Bajuar Agency after an agreement with the political authorities, according to officials.

Assistant Political Agent Abdul Qayum Khan told newsmen at a press conference here on Saturday that the tribesmen had voluntarily destroyed the crop over 1,600 kanals of land.

Under the agreement, he said, the administration had restored incentives and salaries of the Brang tribesmen, which had been earlier withdrawn after they refused to destroy the banned crop.

He said that the administration had also resumed work on development projects in the area, which had been suspended after the controversy.

He said that if the tribesmen continued the cooperation, the government would initiate more development schemes in the area.

Mr Qayum said that the farmers would eliminate the remaining crops in a few days and the administration and law enforcement agencies were monitoring the process.

Official sources said that the tribesmen had cultivated poppy over 5,000 kanals of land and refused to allow paramilitary forces to destroy the crop.

Under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation, the administration can withdraw incentives of the tribesmen if they refuse to cooperate on a sensitive issue.