Bajaur villagers threaten protest against ‘mining hazards’
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BAJAUR: The residents of Enzari area in Khar tehsil have threatened to stage protest if a safety wall is not built to protect their homes from hazards of nephrite mining.
They told journalists here on Sunday that the contractor of nephrite mines failed to construct a safety wall to protect their homes from hazards. They said that it was clearly mentioned in the lease agreement between villagers and contractor, signed in 2015, that the latter would be only allowed to work in the mine located in the mountain.
However, they alleged that the contractor with the support of some officials included their private lands adjacent to the mountain in the mining map.
Local elders Fazal Rehman, Hazrat Mohammad, Taj Mohammad, Amir Gulab, Siraj Khan and Ziaullah said that they agreed to allow the contractor to include their private lands in the mining map after he signed a written agreement to construct a 53 feet safety wall between the mining site and residential area.
They said that the contractor did not honour his commitment. They said that absence of safety wall not only put several houses of locals at risk but also caused a number of unpleasant incidents.
They said that the district administration on their complaints also directed the contractor to stop work some three months ago. However, they said that the contractor, who was allegedly backed by some high-ups of mining and mineral department, continued mining activities.
Locals demanded of chief minister, director general of mineral and mining department, chief inspector of mines, deputy commissioner of Bajaur and other relevant officials to take serious notice of the issue and order the contractor to build a protection wall immediately.
According to them, they have decided to arrange a massive sit-in in Civil Colony, Khar, if their issue was not resolved.
A senior official of district administration, when contacted, said that they had taken notice of the matter and decided to summon the contractor along with local elders very soon.
Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2025
