GHALANAI, Sept 2: Mohmand Agency Political Agent Adil Siddique has urged the heads of peace committees and common tribesmen to fulfil their collective responsibility and check movement of militants in their respective areas.

Addressing two separate tribal jirgas of Safi and Ambar Utamnkhel tribes in Lakaro and Had Kor areas on Sunday, he said that strict action would be taken against the elders of an area if any militant activity happened there.

The jirgas were attended by hundreds of elders and senior leaders of peace committees belonging to various sub-tribes of Safi and Ambar.

Commandant Mohmand Rifles Col Mushtaq Hussain, Lt-Col Zegham and Assistant Political Agent Rasool Khan were also present on the occasion.

The political agent said that writ of the government had been restored in the region with the efforts of security forces and tribal elders. “However, you should play due role in restoration of peace in the area,” he added.

The official said that restoration of peace was not a difficult task but the main challenge was its maintenance. The recent incidents of militancy affected law and order in the region, he added.

Mr Siddique assured the tribesmen of reconstruction of all health, educational and others facilities, which were destroyed in the recent conflict. He asked officials of education and health departments to perform their duty regularly otherwise their salaries would be stopped.

Addressing on the occasion, Col Mushtaq urged the heads of Safi and Ambar peace committees to nominate 10 volunteers from each village to form village defence committees in their respective areas. He said that security forces were present in the region to facilitate tribesmen.

“We will not disturb your tribal customs and jirga system,” he told the tribesmen.

Col Mushtaq said that peace committees should trace the elements involved in militant activities. He also praised Safi and Ambar tribesmen for rendering sacrifices to bring peace to the area.

The tribal elders including Malik  Sadol Khan, Malik Zardali, Malik Ibrahim, Malik Shab Khan and Malik Izzat Khan also spoke on the occasion and said that Mohmand tribesmen had always supported security forces and rendered sacrifices to eliminate militants in the area.

They said that people of Safi and Ambar tehsils were fully alert to counter militants’ attacks in their areas.