PARACHINAR, Nov 22: Troops on Thursday moved into the violence-hit areas in Parachinar town and other parts of the Kurram agency. NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai visited the town and held talks with members of the peace jirga.

Political Agent Zaheerul Islam briefed the governor on incidents of lawlessness in the agency.

Sources said Mr Aurakzai directed law-enforcement officials and political authorities to utilise all available resources for restoring peace. He asked the authorities to provide food and medicines to the affected people.

“Deployment of forces for maintaining peace in Fata was no solution to the problem. The people would have to strive for peace in their respective areas and the government will support them in all respects,” quoted a handout Mr Aurakzai as telling elders.

Residents said that troublemakers had been given a free hand in Parachinar. Armed people are moving almost freely despite deployment of the army and imposition of curfew.

After the departure of Governor Aurakzai security forces along with elders of both sects moved in different localities of the city.

Miscreants set a store on fire in the main bazaar on Wednesday night. There were reports of a brief exchange of fire.

The rival groups vacated positions in Balishkhel and Sadda areas after a ceasefire.