LANDI KOTAL, Oct 19: Scores of internally displaced persons from Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on Friday protested at Jalozai camp in Nowshera to protest denial of monthly ration by Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

IDP Yar Zaman Malikdinkhel told Dawn by phone from Jalozai camp that PDMA officials had stopped distribution of ration to hundreds of displaced persons though they’re registered with the camp.

He said these IDPs had been provided with ration for many months and that suspension of ration supply would stress them out, especially ahead of Eidul Azha.

Another IDP, Gula Khan Akkakhel, said he and 15 members of his family had been registered with Jalozai camp but PDMA had informed them that only the head of the family would get ration every months from now onwards.

Mulla Khel, a member of Bara IDPs shura, demanded that the relevant authorities conduct a fresh survey of all IDPs so that those who missed the registration exercise or were having own families after marriage at the camp, could be enrolled as genuine cases for assistance.

Also, dozens of Bara women sheltering in Jalozai camp joined male members of their families in protest against non-payment of the Benazir Income Support Programme assistance.

It is for the first time that women stepped out for the protest.

Officials at the camp, however, told them that they were not part of BISP and could only convey their grievances to the relevant authorities in Islamabad.

When contacted, spokesman for PDMA Adnan Khan denied suspension of ration supply to registered IDPs by the authority.

He said under the rules, only head of a registered displaced family could claim ration and medical facilities.

Mr Khan said ration had been denied to some unregistered IDPs.

“We are trying our level best to enroll and provide assistance to all legitimate IDPs,” he said.