Tribesmen refuse to leave N Waziristan town

BANNU: The residents of Ediak in North Waziristan Agency have refused to evacuate over the imminent military offensive against militants in the area. The refusal comes two days after the administration served notices on hundreds of the residents of Razmak, Spinwam, Shewa, Shawal, Eidek and adjoining areas of the tribal agency to shift to Bannu without delay. They were even offered free transport for Bannu. The elders of tribesmen called a jirga on Thursday to decide about the future course of action. The participants unanimously decided not to vacate their homes but said they would continue to be in contact with the administration on the matter. Eidak is seven kilometres away from Mirali and has around 25,000 population. The Fata Disaster Management Authority has already made arrangements at Sidgai checkpost to register displaced families before giving them Rs20,000 each. Later, the administration and Eidgai elders had talks until Thursday night. However, there was no breakthrough as both the sides stuck to their guns. Another such jirga on the matter will take place shortly. There are reports about the presence of the people of Shewa and Razmak tehsils in Ediak despite the government’s warning. A local official said the FDMA had deployed relevant staff at the registration point in Sidgai, who would provide necessary assistance to displaced families. Meanwhile, all five registration points set up by the government to register IDPs in Bannu have yet to begin work due to the lack of proper arrangements by the staff posted there. Recently, the administration through advertisements in the national media had asked unregistered IDPs to reach the registration points at Sports Complex, Commerce College Bannu, Degree College Mamshkhel, Vocational Institute for Women, and Elementary College. However, the points remained closed despite presence of displaced persons in long queues. Published in Dawn, Aug 9th, 2014