Outdated measures: Waraspun tribe paying the price for kidnapped polio team

DI KHAN: A Bhittani sub-tribe in Frontier Region (FR) Tank, Waraspun, is now being subjected to ‘collective responsibility’ under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) in connection with the kidnapping of a doctor, polio worker, driver and three levies personnel. “So far, 13 members of the Waraspun tribe and a few vehicles have been taken into custody as part of the crackdown,” said Assistant Political Agent of FR Tank, Khalid Mehmood while speaking to The Express Tribune. “It will continue until the persons are recovered from the area of the tribe.” The incident occurred on February 17 in Ping, about 40 kilometres north of Jandola, the main town of FR Tank. World Health Organization doctor Khan Dad, polio team leader Sadiq Khan, driver Aslam and three levies personnel Amanullah, Daulat Khan and Menhas were passing through the area on their way from Tank district when they were kidnapped by unidentified armed persons. As punishment, Waraspun, the main sub-tribe of Bttani, has further been deprived of any government privileges. The tribe has been barred from obtaining domiciles or CNICs and restrictions have been placed on their movement due to the crackdown by the political administration. However, Mehmood says an eight-member jirga of the Waraspun tribe is being formed and will be assigned the task to find the missing persons. So far there is no clue as to who is behind the kidnapping as well as the whereabouts of the missing persons. Rashid Khan, father of the kidnapped polio team leader Sadiq, says no government official has contacted them so far. “When I went to their office, they told me to be patient,” Rashid said. “We were all so happy a month ago when Sadiq was blessed with a son. Now, all our happiness has faded away.” Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2014