Operation looming in Waziristan too?

[Naveed Yaseen]

Govt mulling over plan to set up IDPs camps
TANK: The government is mulling over a plan to establish camps for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the wake of looming military operation against militants in troubled spots of the North and South Waziristan agencies, while the media reports about possible army offensive have scared the local residents.

Sources told ‘The News’ Thursday the unusual movement of army and paramilitary troops in the militancy-infested areas of the both agencies strengthened the tribesmen’s view about the possible military assault on militants.

A large number of people from the Mahsud-dominated areas, including Chagmalai, Mundana, Spinkai, Aghzai and several other places, had started migration to safer areas. Official sources said local administration had initiated work on a plan to establish temporary camps on a piece of 625 acres of land at Dabara area, some 10 kilometres away from Tank city, to accommodate impending IDPs.

The sources said the Thursday meeting was the second of the series, which was attended by District Coordination Officer Barkatullah Marwat, South Waziristan political agent and army officials.

The meeting reportedly discussed the IDPs relocation and it was noted that the proposed camps would cater to needs of more than 0.3 million people. The participants said the political administration had prepared a plan to register the IDPs and then accommodate them in the camps so that the entry of miscreants and militants could be avoided.Meanwhile, banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Chief Baitullah and his key commanders met at an undisclosed location and discussed the situation in the area.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=177699