IDPs from Dir, Buner land in twin cities

[Naveed Yaseen]

by Khalid Iqbal
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) of more than fifty families from the troubled Dir and Buner areas reached in the city during the last three days.

In the wake of scores of death in the ongoing military operation in Darra Ambela and other areas of Buner, hundreds of families have migrated to safer areas across the country including Rawalpindi and Islamabad. More than 50 families from Ambela Pass, Kalpani, Sawarai, Bagra, Gagra, Kingergali, Jiwar, Upper Dir and some other areas of Buner reached the twin cities and were living under the open sky.

Around 2,000 families from Bajaur, Mohmand, Waziristan and Swat have already been settled in different areas of the city. Some of the families have preferred to live in the huts of their relatives while many are wandering here and there in search of shelter. Some are still waiting at Pirwadhai bus stand.

Former federal minister Dr Muhammad Amjad of PML-Q who is head of an NGO said that the government should restrict the movements of IDPs from NWFP. Rawalpindi and Islamabad are already jam-packed with IDPs from Swat, Bajaur, Mohmand and Waziristan agencies. He feared that IDPs would not go back to their areas after the military operation is over as NGOs are providing them food and shelter.

The displaced persons had started migrating some four days ago as ten families from troubled areas reached Rawalpindi on Friday last while forty more families reached on Saturday and Sunday. The migration of people from these areas is continuing.

Manager Pirwadahi General Bus Stand Owais Ahmed Afridi told ‘The News’ that buses from Dir and Buner with passengers are reaching here as they are in a state of great tension and fear.

Zar Khan from Ambela Pass said that he could not live in his area because of fighting between the militants and army that is going on for the last four days. “The situation there is worse as no body is ready to pick either the dead bodies or injured persons,” he said.

Rehman Baba from Gagra said that there are still pockets of resistance of militants and they blow up police stations or posts in these areas. There is bloodshed everywhere. Ziarat Khan, a student from Sawarai, said that they are spending day and nights at Pirwadhai bus stand as no one is ready to provide them shelter and food.

Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce President Syed Asad Mashadi said that all displaced persons are the guests therefore all citizens should cooperate with them whole-heartedly. He said that Rawalpindi business community would provide maximum help to displaced people from Buner and Dir.

Almost all displaced persons from troubled areas who arrived in the city in the last three days are in a pitiable condition and are begging for food. Their children and even their ladies are also begging in a state of helplessness. They don’t have any place to seek shelter.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=175663