KHAAR, Nov 4: Tribesmen held a demonstration near the border with Afghanistan, 35 kilometres off here, on Saturday to protest against the bombing of a Bajaur seminary. The demonstration was held at Dankol Dandokai village in the Salarzai area on the call of the Bajaur Political Alliance, comprising all religious and political parties in the agency.

Leaders in their speeches held President Gen Pervez Musharraf responsible for the air strike.

“The general has declared war on the tribesmen. He got killed innocent people of Bajaur. He should resign or be removed,” they demanded.

Bajaur Agency MNA Maulana Mohammad Sadiq said the government had started a brutal campaign in tribal areas and was killing innocent people to please America and prolong his unconstitutional rule.

JUI Senator Maulana Abdur Rashid said the image of Pakistan army and security forces had been tarnished during this government. He said the army had failed to defend the country’s frontiers and was out to wage war against its own people to “establish American control and influence in the country”.

He described the US as the biggest terrorist in the world.

He rejected the claim that the seminary housed terrorist elements and the strike had been carried out by the Pakistani forces.

Other speakers, including Awami National Party leader Gul Afzal Khan, Pakistan People’s Party leader Akhunzada Chatan, Mohammad Yar Shahid of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Maulana Waheed Gul and Salarzai tribal elders, said they possessed undeniable proofs that the attack had been carried out by American helicopters.

They called upon the Supreme Court chief justice to take suo motu notice of Bajaur killings and hold an inquiry to bring facts to light.

The speakers also sought withdrawal of restriction on the entry of journalists to the agency.