KOHAT, Nov 12: With the sensitive month of Muharram less than two weeks away, two disgruntled members of the 12-strong peace committee of Hangu district have stepped down.

More resignations may follow in the days to come, an insider told Dawn on Saturday.

He said Ahmad Hassan and Faizullah, who joined the committee two years ago to help the local administration ensure law and order in the district, were angry for being ignored by the administration over peace efforts though they cited personal reasons in their letters of resignation.

The source said the two had serious reservations about withdrawal of their official security guards and suspension of stipend.

He said many other members of the peace committee were also considering tendering resignations for restoration of facilities and having a better say in peace efforts.

It is learnt that two committee members Shabbir Khan and Jamil have taken the responsibility of bringing Mr Hassan and Mr Faizullah back to the committee by ensuring resolution of their grievances.

When contacted, Mr Shabbir confirmed resignations by the two peace committee members and said some more were considering quitting the panel.

He said he along with Jamil would try their level best to convince Mr Hassan and Mr Faizullah about withdrawing resignation.

Mr Shabbir said of late, all peace committee members met commissioner Kohat division and assured him that they would accept the administration's every decision taken in the people's interest and cooperate with it in maintaining law and order in the area.

He said peace was the collective responsibility of the government and rival sects, adding that it is the administration to decide about issuance of permit for mourning processions and imposition of curfew.

Mr Shabbir said though security situation around Hangu in Orakzai Agency, Kurram Agency and Waziristan Agency was delicate due to fighting between security forces and militants, people shouldn't feel worried due to the administration's excellent peace measures for Muharram.

He said he strongly felt that like other parts of the country, Hangu district would also have a peaceful Muharram.

TEMPORARY CHECKPOINTS: Deputy inspector general of police, Kohat region Masood Afridi on Saturday ordered establishment of temporary check posts at all sensitive points on the mountains between tribal areas and settled districts of Kohat, Karak and Hangu.Chairing a meeting in Kohat, he also asked police to crack down on troublemakers in Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts for a peaceful Muharram.

Some participants proposed that movement of Afghan refugees be restricted to their respective camps as part of Muharram security plan.

The meeting was attended by district police officers and senior superintendent of police (investigations) of Kohat, Hangu and Karak.