LAKKI MARWAT: The police on Tuesday refused to allow an armed lashkar of the Marwat Bittani Tehreek to enter Bannu district to demonstrate at the site of the Baran Dam here on Tuesday.

Scores of armed volunteers from the Marwat Bettani Tehreek began moving in vehicles towards the Baran Dam in Bannu From the Malang Adda area in Lakki Marwat to push authorities into meeting their demand for water.

Police bosses rushed to the place and held negotiations with the movement’s chairman, Inamullah Khan. They tried to persuade him to postpone the protest and resolve issues through talks.

However, armed volunteers continued with their march, prompting police to stop them in Ghoriwala town, which borders Bannu.

Mob stages sit-in in Lakki against non-availability of water in canal

Police and witnesses said that Ghoriwala police fired shots in the air when some armed volunteers tried to remove barriers.

They said that several armed men were also arrested and their vehicles were impounded before being shifted to an undisclosed location.

Witnesses said that the police’s action infuriated the armed volunteers of the movement who staged a sit-in at Mir Sher Khan Chowk, demanding permission forgoing to the dam’s site.

However, police declared that no armed man would be permitted to enter the Bannu district, according to an official. He said that action would be taken against those taking the law into their hands.

“Policemen have been deployed on all entry and exit points with instructions to remain alert and vigilant,” he said.

The MBT chairman, who is wanted by police in various cases and his name is also included in the Fourth Schedule, said that the marchers wanted to go to the dam’s site to record their protest against unavailability of water in the Marwat Canal.

“Our volunteers were peaceful but the police fired gunshots at them and seized their vehicles,” he insisted.

He said that his organisation had held several peaceful demonstrations for water rights.

He later announced the holding of a sit-in at Gandi Chowk on the Indus Highway in Lakki Marwat district.

The protesters reached the busy intersection and demonstrated there.

Later, Malik Ali Sarwar Khan, Malik Najibullah Khan and other elders showed up and held talks with representatives of the Marwat Bettani Tehreek.

Assistant commissioner Sultan Nooruddin Ahmer and additional AC Mehboobur Rehman were also prsent to facilitate talks. Malik Sarwar said authorities had promised to resolve the issues within a week. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2025