PESHAWAR, April 7: The action committee of the Ahl-i-Sunnah Wal-Jamaat, Parachinar, has demanded security of life and property of the people of the restive headquarters of the Kurram Agency where use of heavy weapons and ransacking of shops and houses have virtually paralysed the routine life.

Speaking at a joint news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, Haji Shireen Khan, Haji Sher Khan, Haji Maulana Bahadur Khan, Haji Dauran Khan, Haji Marjan Khan and Haji Arif alleged that the distribution of a pamphlet containing hate material sparked off tension in the town which later resulted in armed attacks on personnel of the Kurram militia and general people by militants.

They criticised the muharars (record-keepers of crimes) for allegedly fanning the sectarian flames. They said the tension started when some people had pelted their procession with stones on April 1 and distributed the pamphlet in the town. On April 6, they said, the miscreants, who were brandishing weapons, chanted slogans and used abusive language against them.

They claimed that the political administration knew who were behind the sectarian clash, but it was not taking any action against them.

They said the involvement of foreign hands in the violence could not be ruled out.

They demanded of the government to ensure an immediate stoppage of firing, killing and ransacking of shops, houses and private offices; ban distribution of pamphlets containing hate material and put a ban on all processions.

They also demanded suspension of local muharars and inquiry against them. They urged the government to pay compensation to those whose houses and shops had been destroyed.