Khugakhels hold sit-in against land occupation

LANDIKOTAL: Hundreds of people belonging to Khugakhel tribe on Tuesday staged a sit-in to protest the alleged seizure of their land at the Torkham border Khugakhel tribe elders, businessmen, politicians, customs clearing agents and youth gathered at Torkham and chanted slogans against the National Logistics Cell (NLC) officials.

They were holding placards and black flags to protest against the misbehaviour and alleged grabbing of their property at Torkham border. All Customs Agents Association Chairman Mairajuddin Shinwari, Khugakhel tribal elders including Malik Tajuddin Khugakhel, Awami National Party’s Shah Hussain Shinwari, Malik Abdur Razzaq and Zarqeeb Khugakhel spoke on the occasion and highlighted the demands of the Khugakhel tribe. They said the Khugakhel elders had signed an agreement with the NLC to sell a piece of land for setting up of the NLC offices. Mairajuddin Shinwari alleged that the NLC had grabbed their land and deprived them of a source of income.

Malik Abdur Razzaq alleged that hundreds of shops, hotels and offices were closed down in Landikotal bazaar. He said they were peace-loving people and the government should not force them to sabotage peace by snatching jobs and businesses from the poor Khugakhel tribesmen. He alleged that Member National Assembly Shahjee Gul Afridi hatched the conspiracy to deprive Khugakhel tribespeople of their property at Torkham.

Awami National Party leader Shah Hussain asked the Supreme Court to conduct audit of the NLC as it was involved in corruption at the Torkham border with Afghanistan. He said the security forces should not support the NLC. He said the NLC rented a small piece of land but with the passage of time occupied more land at Torkham.

Khugakhel tribespeople said that their sit-in would continue until the land was returned to them. They appealed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor to take notice of the matter.