BARA: The return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Akakhel tribe in Bara subdivision of Khyber Agency started after seven years of displacement here on Friday. Giving briefing to reporters after inauguration of the registration point at Milward Fort in Bara’s Akakhel area, Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah said the area had been cleared of the militants after the military operation “Khyber-1.” He said the security forces were advancing and clearing the remaining areas in Tirah valley. “It is the first time during the last seven years that the tribesmen are going home to live with dignity and peace,” he said. He claimed that the nefarious designs of militants to destroy the area were foiled as the state’s writ had been restored in the terror-hit areas in Bara tehsil. He added that the security forces, Khassadars, Levies force and local elders would not allow anyone to disturb the peace in the area. He added that airstrikes were underway against the suspected militants in Tirah valley as part of the operation “Khyber-2. Director General of FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), Ikramullah Khan, officials of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army troops, Assistant Political Agent Bara subdivision Muhammad Nasir Khan, and elders of Akakhel tribe and locals were present on the occasion. Regarding the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Bara, he said the registration process of Maroofkhel, a sub-tribe of Akakhel in Bara, had begun and it would continue till May 1. He said the registration of 250 families of Akakhel tribe for their return was completed on the first day. He said repatriation of the sub-clans of Akakhel of Bara would be completed in three phases. Shahab Ali Shah said that 20,000 out of the 86,000 families displaced from Bara over the last few years were the residents of Akakhel area. He said Khyber Agency’s political administration along with FDMA and donor agencies were facilitating the return of the IDPs. He said the returning families were being given cash, health kits, transportation facility and gifts. He said the schools and health centres in Bara had been opened on temporary basis.Director General FDMA Ikramullah Khan said that every family would get Rs10,000 for transportation, Rs25,000 for domestic needs and other facilities on return to their homes.“We have conducted a pre-repatriation survey in which most of tribesmen were urged to return as soon as possible and the camp was set up to register them,” he said.
