No more food to the Scarborough fair
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=70776
Tribesmen again exposed to economic blockade Secret talks begin for settlement of wanted militants issue
Wednesday July 14, 2004 (1411 PST)
WANA, July 15 (Online): Government has once again clamped economic ban on local tribesmen for unspecified duration after lifting the ban it imposed earlier some days ago. Vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables and victuals were intercepted at Jandola check post and were denied onward movement.
The personnel manning the post told drivers of the vehicles/trucks that political agent had banned movement of the victuals.
Re-slapping of sanctions on tribesmen has outraged them and one fears that things in the area would worsen with this unwelcome development on the part of the residents of the area.
It is pertinent to mention here that the administration had imposed economic blockade in the area as part of its bid to browbeat aliens into getting registered with the government besides it also used it as a pressure tactics to ensure surrender of wanted tribesmen.
Government announced lifting of sanctions for ten days after some agreement reached between the tribesmen and the local administration on some matters.
Some tribesmen have also linked clamping of economic blockade to dissolution of 40-member conciliatory committee.
Meanwhile, the secret talks once again have started for settlement of matters between the government and the wanted militants.
Sources informed Online that MNA's Abdul Malik, Maulvi Meraj ud Din and former MNA, Maulvi Anwar Muhammad are playing active role with reference to the talks and met with the two most wanted militants including Javed Khan and Maulvi Abbas at some unknown place.
Later the 3-member delegation held meeting with the political administration and briefed them about their meeting with two most wanted militants.
Meanwhile Some unknown persons fired 3 rockets at Zalai Scouts fort, 25 kilometre from Wana. The army men and scouts retaliated the firing. However no loss of life has been reported.
Jirga fails to built consensus, Committee abolished
The tribal jirga in South Waziristan Agency Wednesday failed to develop consensus vis-à-vis action against wanted men as twenty nine member committee was dissolved.
The jirga had been summoned by twenty-nine-member committee to evolve a consensus on action against two wanted men including Javed Khan and Maulvi Abbas, however, the committee was dissolved due to differences between elders of Ahmedzai Wazir Tribe.
It is worth to mention here that the twenty-nine-member committee was formed to prepare a tribal Lashkar for taking action against wanted men.
The jirga, however, failed to achieve both the objectives of formulating a Lashkar and action against wanted men.
The differences emerged when the committee forwarded a proposal for abolishing houses of the wanted men. The tribal elders opposed the proposal saying that it is not a solution of the issue.
The tribal elders were of the view that since the committee has failed to resolve the issue for last many weeks; therefore, it could not be allowed to function anymore.
They are a stubborn people.