KOHAT, Dec 22 The tribal elders of Darra Adamkhel have rejected the proposal of federal government to merge Frontier Region Kohat into the settled areas.

The elders met in Darra Adamkhel on Monday with Noor Zaman in chair and criticised the statement issued by NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani about ending the tribal status of Darra to control the deteriorating law and order.

They termed the presence of security forces as main reason behind the terrorism activities and suggested that all issues regarding Taliban and criminals should be resolved through talks by tribal elders.

They feared that merger of Darra Adamkhel into Kohat district would cause rise in crime rate and undermine the independent status of the Frontier Region.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Malik Gul Sana Din, Malik Noor Mohammad of Bosti Khel, Haji Zarba Din, Ghaniur Rehman of Tor Chappar and Haji Fazle Malik.

The government had been considering a proposal about ending the tribal status of Frontier Region Kohat to control the growing militancy. The Anti Narcotics Force had also been demanding removal of signboards about sale of hashish from Indus Highway passing through Darra Adamkhel, which according to ANF attracted the drivers and passengers to make money by transporting the drugs to Punjab and Sindh.

But the most recent move to formally include FR Kohat into the settled districts was considered owing to the increasing attacks of militants on the public transport and kidnapping of people.

The Kohat tunnel remained closed for several months due to the threat of attack by the militants. The militants had damaged Kohat tunnel a few months ago during a battle with the security forces and it was still prime target.

MUHARRAM SECURITY The Kohat administration has decided to use helicopter for the security of Muharram procession in view of the sectarian unrest and presence of foreign elements in the region.

District Police Officer Abdullah Khan announced at a joint meeting of Shia and Sunni leaders on Monday that entry of Afghan refugees and outsiders would be completely banned in more than 35 villages on Hangu Road.

The police officials and the elders from both sects discussed the security arrangements for Muharram.

However on the request of the elders the district police chief decided to monitor the processions from the helicopter to make the arrangements fool proof.

It was also decided unanimously to seal all the entry points of the district for ten days from first of Muharram to tenth of the holly month.Official sources said that government was considering imposition of curfew in Hangu district owing to the fresh wave of sectarian violence there.

The movement of procession through Hangu bazaar was banned last year and the intelligence agencies in their reports had advised the administration to keep the status quo as the fear of terrorism was more imminent this time.