Tirah victims demand return, compensation

The 37-point demands of the victims of Tirah Maidan and Rajgal have remained largely unresolved, prompting the Awami National Party (ANP), Khyber district, to announce a phased protest and legal strategy. Meanwhile, the Bara Political Alliance has raised questions over the government's claims regarding development, restoration of civilian institutions, security and the return of displaced residents. The developments came as a representative jirga of Tirah victims reported progress on several demands following talks with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, including financial assistance for 1,300 affected families. Speaking at a crowded press conference at the Bara Press Club, ANP Khyber president Abdul Razzaq Afridi said Tirah Maidan and Rajgal residents had suffered substantial human and material losses, but little progress had been made on the promises made to them and their 37-point charter of demands. He announced a peaceful protest at Bara Chowk on September 18. If the demands were not addressed, the party would organise larger sit-ins outside the Chief Minister's House, Governor's House, Bala Hisar Fort and the Corps Commander's House. The ANP has also issued special forms to document the losses suffered by the displaced people, including casualties and damage to houses, land, crops and other property. Applications, complaints and damage-related data will be collected at designated camps from September 14 to 16, while legal consultations with the Malgari Wakilan will be held on September 17. Abdul Razzaq said the ANP had invited other political parties to join the September 18 protest under their respective banners. He stressed that the campaign was aimed neither at bringing down any government nor at political blackmail, but at securing the legitimate rights of the Tirah victims. He warned that if the victims were not allowed to return to their agricultural lands and the promised relief package was not released, major peaceful sit-ins would be staged before September 30. The ANP said the protesters would continue their campaign until a formal notification for the return of the displaced people was issued or adequate compensation was provided for crop and other losses.