KHAR: The elders of Salarzai tribe have demanded of the administration to expel outsiders from Bajaur Agency, saying most of them are involved in criminal activities.

During a jirga here on Wednesday, the elders of various sub-tribes of Salarzai and members of peace committees said that most of the people, who migrated to Bajaur Agency from different settled areas, were involved in criminal activities.

The jirga was attended by a large number of tribal elders and member of various village defence committees and senior officials of local administration including Political Agent Mohammad Yahya Akhunzada and Assistant Political Agent Sohil Ahmad Khan.

Issues related to law and order, recent attacks by militants on security forces and peace activists in the border areas were discussed in the jirga. Speaking on the occasion, tribal elders Malik Mohammad Younas Khan, Malik Nasar Khan and Nawabzada Anwarzeb Khan said that the situation in almost all areas of Bajaur was being normalised as local people were making efforts for the purpose.

They said that activities of militants were reduced in almost all area except few unpleasant incidents in the recent past. They said that tribal people were struggling against the enemies of their land, who were trying to disturb in the region.

The tribal elders claimed that the region would be soon cleared of militants as they had stepped up their activities against the miscreants. They said that the people, who had migrated to Bajaur from various settled districts, were becoming serious threat for peace in the region.

The elders alleged that most of the outsiders were criminals. They were involved in criminal activities in several areas, they added.

The reputation of the people, who had come to the area from the settled districts, was not satisfactory, they said. “We believe that they are involved in several anti-social activities in the area,” they said.

The tribal elders demanded of the political agent to take concrete steps for expelling the outsiders from the agency. They also urged the officials to check record of the non-local people before permitting them to live in the agency.

The participants of the jirga assured the political agent of their full support in maintaining peace in their areas. They requested the officials to avoid arrest of volunteers and members of peace committees under the collective responsibility clause of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

Speaking on the occasion, the political agent said that the administration was committed to ensuring peace and normalcy in the agency. All possible means were being used for the purpose because peace was vital for sustainable development of the region, he added.

The official showed satisfaction over the law and order in the region and said that peace was restored in the agency but the recent militant attacks showed that some miscreants were attempting to disturb peace in the area.

Mr Akhunzada directed the elders to stay alert to thwart militant attacks in the area. He stressed the need for forging unity and establishing good working relationship among the tribesmen for the larger interest of the region.

The political agent also lauded the contribution of Salarzai tribesmen in restoration of peace in the agency. He said that Salarzai tribesmen always extended support to the security forces and administration to eliminate militancy from the agency.

Mr Akhunzada assured the elders that their suggestions would be considered soon.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014