PESHAWAR, June 6: People of various tribal regions have refused to form anti-Taliban lashkars (peace bodies) and demanded release of the 175 members of a tribal jirga allegedly imprisoned in Mohmand Agency about a month ago.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, the students of different tribal regions, led by Fata Students Federation vice-president Shafeeq Ahmad Safi, Barhanuddin and Gul Sattar Mengal, rejected the government's move to force the tribal people to form anti-Taliban peace bodies.

Mr Shafeeq alleged that the political administration of Mohmand Agency had invited a jirga of 175 elders of the region and asked them to form an anti-Taliban lashkar, but on refusal they were detained under the 40 FCR.

He made it clear that in the prevailing situation the tribal people could not afford such steps.

“The members and heads of various Qaumi lashkars are being killed in different tribal and settled areas, but the government has failed to arrest the killers,” he said and added that it was the government's responsibility to protect lives of the people.

The FSF leader said that the relatives of the detained elders were not allowed to meet them. “Our elders are mentally tortured for no fault of theirs,” he alleged.

Mr Shafeeq said that the detainees also included heads of their families who were supposed to provide them tuition fee, but in such a situation the students were also unable to pay their dues.

He said that the prison lacked basic facilities and they were not allowed to provide food to their elders.

He called for proactive measures for enforcement of lasting peace in the tribal areas, especially in Mohmand Agency. He observed that the peace committees could not maintain peace for long time.

He said that the tribesmen had always extended support to the government in difficult times and demanded of the government to stop step-motherly attitude with them and immediately release the jirga members.