BAJAUR, April 24: Tribesmen in Bajaur Agency on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against imposition of a levy on eatables and legal documents.

They blocked the Khaar-Arang road for four hours, demanding withdrawal of extra taxes on commodities like wheat flour, pulses, sugar, rice and legal documents, like national identity card, passport and domicile certificate.

They termed the levy unreasonable, saying the local administration had employed tactics to make up Wapda arrears in this way.

Khasadars and levies launched a crackdown to disperse demonstrators. Several were arrested.

In retaliation to the crackdown, people opened fire on pickets of Khasadars and levies and damaged public property. No loss of life was reported.

The local administration formed a jirga to hold talks with protesters and open the road for traffic. The tribesmen demanded release of detained elders unconditionally.

An official told Dawn here that the administration had decided to take a strict action against those who had blocked the road and opened fire on the security forces. Action would be taken against demonstrators under Section 40 of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

The official said taxes collected in this way were paid to Wapda. Sources said tribesmen had taken positions on hilltops.