Khassadars, residents refuse polio vaccination in Landikotal

LANDIKOTAL: A large number of children were made vulnerable to poliovirus when parents in different areas of Landikotal in Khyber tribal district refused to get their children vaccinated to express solidarity with Khassadars, sources said.

They said that hundreds of residents of Pirokhel, Sultankhel, Adil Khad, Kam Shalman and station area refused to vaccinate children to show sympathies with the Khassadars, who want to be merged into the police force in the tribal districts.

A polio team supervisor, who requested anonymity, told The News that 24 children in Sultankhel area, were not vaccinated against the crippling disease after their parents' refusal. He said that the parents pledged support to the Khassadars and urged the government to accept their legitimate demands to help secure their jobs.

When contacted, another source in the Health Department confirmed the refusal cases in different areas of the tehsil. Meanwhile, Frontier Corps personnel stopped Landikotal media from covering a polio eradication event in Torkham despite the invitation extended by the local administration for the coverage.

It is to be mentioned here that Khassadars in erstwhile Fata have refused to escort the polio teams and also announced to boycott the polio vaccination to their children in favour of their demands.