LANDI KOTAL: Hundreds of displaced families from different parts of Bara have started taking shelter in abandoned shops at Shalobar and Akkakhel due the official apathy and shortage of rented houses in Peshawar and its adjoining areas.

Members of the displaced families told Dawn that the slow process of enlistment by the officials of Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) at Ring Road, Peshawar, and the inability of most of the poor families to get houses on rent in Peshawar had led to the ‘occupation of abandoned shops’ at Shalobar market and Niazi market.

Niaz Mohammad, a resident of Akkakhel, told this correspondent that he waited for two days at the main Ring Road for enlistment of his family, but had to return disappointed due to the slow pace of enlistment. He said that he along with his family ran short of food items and had to borrow money for his return journey to Niazi market in Akkakhel.

Shareefullah, a father of seven children and shopkeeper by profession, said that he had no resources to travel to Peshawar and find a safe shelter. He said that he was compelled to vacate his house in Nala-Malikdinkhel and take temporary refuge in Shalobar market. He said that a number of other families from Sipah, Malikdinkhel, Kamarkhel and Akkakhel had also taken refuge in the markets as security forces had in recent days intensified its aerial strikes and artillery shelling against militant hideouts in different parts of Bara.

Shortage of rented houses in Peshawar, slow enlistment stated to be among main reasons

Qasim Khan, a Sipah resident, said that their biggest fear was artillery shelling as most of the private houses were damaged due to falling of mortar shells, which also caused civilian casualties and injuries to a number of children and women.

“Most of the people fleeing Bara could not afford renting a house in Peshawar or even travel to Jalozai camp and thus they opted to use shops as their temporary abode,” he said.

Mr Qasim said that house burglaries were also on the rise as unidentified criminals had started looting abandoned private houses at Alamgudar, Karigar Garhai, Nala-Malikdinkhel and Sipah areas. He said that armed thieves had taken away valuables worth millions of rupees from private houses and shops near Al-Haj checkpost in Alamgudar and Karigar Garhai, while three more houses and half a dozen shops were looted in Zulfiqar Garhai localities.

Families fleeing from these areas said that they had to leave behind all their belongings and costly household items, including electric appliances, when the security forces launched the Khyber-1 operation on October 16. They have appealed to the operation commander and officials of the Khasadar and Levies forces to protect their houses.

Meanwhile, the elders of Malikdinkhel tribes on Sunday announced formation of a 21-member peace and conciliation committee. Headed by Malik Daud Khan, the committee will help the government in establishing its writ in Bara and negotiating surrender of willing militants. The committee will also play an active role in restoring peace in troubled parts of Bara alongside cleansing Bara of all undesirable elements.

In Jamrud, the political administration on Sunday released at least 28 of the total 80 local residents who were arrested during search operations conducted in Ghundi, Sur Kamar, Shah Kas and Takhta Beg. Confirming this, the officials said that all those found innocent would be released.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2014