CHITRAL, May 20: A 22-year-old feud between two tribes, which has claimed dozens of lives over a period of about two decades, ended this week at the Chitrali town of Arandu bordering the Kunar province of Afghanistan. The feud between the Kohistani and Jigali tribes had started in 1982, when both laid claim to a pasture named Yousuf Shahi. In clashes between the tribes, the Jigalis suffered a setback and moved to the Asmar area of Afghanistan. Operating from there, they carried out frequent rocket and missile attacks on their rivals in Arandu causing losses of life and property.
Mirza Jigali, the leader of the tribe, eventually assumed the position of a warlord wielding great influence in the Afghan area. Using his strength and influence, he terrorised the Kohistani tribe in Arandu. Their houses were looted and their livestock were herded to the other side of the border. All reconciliatory efforts made over the years failed because of tough stance of the parties.
A breakthrough was achieved some time ago when the Jigali tribe agreed to pay compensation to the heir of people who had died in their attacks on Arandu. In return the Kohistani tribe agreed to vacate the land of the Jigalis. A formal accord was signed by the parties in a gathering in the Barikot area of Afghanistan on Tuesday. District nazim Shahzada Mohyuddin and DPO Mir Kalan guaranteed the accord from the Chitral side and Haji Sakhi of Asmar and Haji Said Ameen of Nari from the Afghanistan side.
According to the accord, the dispute over the pasture will be settled in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence. The Jigali tribe will pay Rs4.8 million as diyat to the Kohistani tribe through the guarantors.
After signing the accord, the elders of the Jigali tribe drove to Arandu and under the tribal custom visited the families of people who had lost their lives in clashes between the tribes. They presented a symbolic gift of two goats to each of the bereaved families. The Kohistani tribe will reciprocate the gesture.
Under the accord, Jigali tribesmen will return to their homes in Arandu.
The parties praised the conciliatory committee comprising Qazi Saeed Ahmed, Syed Muzaffar Jan, and Shahzada Sareeruddin.