BAJAUR, Nov 15: The political administration of Bajaur Agency arrested 88 tribal elders and poppy growers in the Salarzai subdivision as a result of fresh major campaign against the eradication of poppy crops in the area. Fifteen vehicles were also impounded in the campaign.

The political administration has taken a serious action and started a major campaign against the poppy cultivators, the elders and the prominent Malkanan of the area after the failure of negotiations between the tribal elders and the political authority for the removing of poppy crops, source said.

The officials said that the local administration had sent several Jirgas to the farmers and the landlords to stop cultivation of poppy and cooperate with the local administration against the poppy cultivation drive.

The administration also gave an incentive of granting alternate crops seed and other financial aid to them but the farmers and the landlords did not agree with the local elders Jirga.

The political tehsildar of Salarzai sub division told that in the fresh drive about 88 persons were arrested so far and about one dozen vehicles of the above Salarzai tribe also captured under the Fata crime regulation (FCR ) article 40.

The political Agent Bajaur, Perzada Khan, told Dawn on Friday that the local administration would continue the drive against the poppy cultivation and the cultivators as well as the prominent Tribal elders and the landlords of the area who are with the growers of poppy crops.

The political agent further said that some Tribal elders including some political leaders are involved in creating law and order problem in the agency and the local authority would take stern action against them.

He said the local authority is trying to arrest more poppy growers. He also said that negotiations between the political administration and the tribal elders Jirga will be held soon to release some top tribal elders, who were arrested in the campaign.

The political tehsildar Salarzai sub-division said on Friday evening that some people were already released on bail.