UPPER DIR, May 12 The reported decision of Chitral to disallow fleeing families from Upper Dir into the district has led to escalated tension between the two neighbouring districts.

About 400 people set up a checkpost at Paraw on Dir-Chitral road and blocked all supplies to Chitral, and about 200 trucks loaded with commodities were stopped to proceed. They said that flour would not be allowed to Chitral as they could face shortage due to curfew in Malakand. Negotiations to resolve the issue ended in smoke. They said “we have blocked supplies to Chitral in response to their decision”.

The people of Upper Dir and other districts of Malakand, where military operation is underway against militants, are moving to Chitral to save their lives.

However, some Chitralis reportedly refused to allow the internally displaced persons (IDPs) into their area. The people said that the alleged decision was biased.

Our Correspondent from Chitral adds Residents of Sheshi Koh have expressed their determination to maintain peace and resist infiltration of militants into the valley from the neighbouring districts of Swat and Dir.

During a meeting, attended by District Nazim Maghfirat Shah, DCO Mutasim Billah Shah and DPO Mohammad Saleem Marwat, local leaders sought help of the common people to maintain law and order in the area.

Elders of the valley reiterated their support to the government against infiltrators but demanded of the government to fulfil its duty by restoring the post of district border force, strengthening the police force in terms of men and material.

Nazim Shah asked residents to form peace committees at union council level and hold weekly meetings to review the situation of security in the valley. Union Nazim Sohrab Khan put forward a number of proposals to check possible infiltration of the militants. Moulana Fazal Azeem, Haji Ayub, Sher Mohammad Khan, Sarfaraz Shah and other local leaders spoke on the occasion.—Correspondent