LANDI KOTAL, Feb 8: Authorities in Landi Kotal impounded four vehicles and sealed a dozen shops of Khugakhel tribesmen on Friday for their opposition to construction of a customs complex at Torkhum.

A group of young tribesmen had forcibly stopped construction of offices and residential quarters for officials of the political administration at the Torkhum border two weeks ago.

The customs authorities had announced construction of a modern customs complex at the border in order to facilitate and enhance trade with Afghanistan. The land where the complex is to be constructed is the property of the Khugakhel tribe.

The Khugakhel tribe is reluctant to agree to official terms and conditions for handing over their land for the customs complex. According to local elders, the government wanted to acquire the land at a throwaway price. The tribesmen are demanded market price for the land.

The matter has been pending for four years because neither the Khugakhel tribe nor the local administration is ready to budge from their respective positions.