BAJAUR, Nov 18: The Bajaur Agency administration has released some 60 farmers and tribal elders of the Salarzai sub-division after negotiating with a tribal Jirga here on Monday.

The release of the farmers came about as result of an agreement reached between the Jirga and administration regarding poppy cultivation in the inaccessible parts of the agency.

The political tehsildar of the area told Dawn that the detained tribesmen had been released after getting an assurance from the Jirga that they would not indulge in growing the banned crop.

He said that heavy contingents of the levies force had been deployed in the agency to stop the cultivation.

He said that according to the agreement, a fine of Rs50,000 would be imposed on violators of the agreement.