LADDHA, April 30: The Fata Disaster Management Authority on Saturday resumed the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from camps in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank to the Mehsud area of South Waziristan Agency.

“The third phase of the IDPs return has started and 75 families have left the camps in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts for their homes in South Waziristan,” assistant political officer Hameedullah told reporters. He said that the third phase would continue till May 5 and 732 displaced families were likely to return to their native areas. These families are willing to go back to their homes, he claimed and added that displaced families were being sent to Sarwaki, Sararogha and Ladha tehsils.

Mr Hameed said that 1,066 displaced families had returned to their homes in the first and second phases last year. However, 100 families were relocated to the camps due to unknown reasons.

An official said that 2011 had been declared year of return and all the IDPs would be sent back to their homes in tribal areas.