Tirah IDPs demand compensation for losses before repatriation

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), belonging from Mehrban Kalay, area of Tirah valley of Khyber Agency have demanded of the federal government to announce compensation package for rebuilding of the damaged of markets, shops, houses and other basic infrastructure before repatriation to their respective hometown.
Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Hafiz Noorul Amin Haqqani, a resident of Mehrban Kalay of Tirah Khyber Agency said that a massive destruction was taken place during the prolonged security forces operation against militants in the Tirah valley. He said that main Mehrban bazaar had completely flattened wherein more than 700 shops were situated. Whereas, he said nearly four timber godowns along with a mosque, religious seminary and houses had completely destroyed due to severe bombardments. He added the irrigation channels were also damaged.
Haqqani said that Tirah valley has been cleared by security forces, while the government was announced phase-wise repatriation of the internally displaced families to their respective hometowns in Tirah valley of the Khyber Agency from June 25.
He, however, demanded of the government to announce compensation for the collateral damages before their return. He further called upon the authorities concerned to ensure education, health, water facilities as well as other basic amenities in the region.
Flanked by the elders Haji Badshah Gul, Haji Farhad and others, Haqqani asked the authorities concerned to take the locals on board during conduct of damage a assessment survey in the Tirah valley, otherwise, he said they will not accept any survey, compiled through irreverent people.
Badshah Gul said that a mechanism should be evolved to conduct a proper assessment survey for overall damages in the Tirah valley, especially in Mehrban region. He recalled that government had provided compensation to the Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) of Miramshah of North Waziristan Agency prior to their return to hometown, so, he asked that the government should also do the same in their case.
He urged the CoAS, IG FC, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Corps Commander Peshawar and Additional Secretary Fata to ensure the disbursement of compensation amount among the militancy-affected people of Mehrban, area of Tirah valley in an effective manner, like mechanism adopted for displaced families belonging from other tribal agencies. Otherwise, he warned that they will not return to the region and will protest, if the demands didn't accept.