Compensation cheques distributed among 200 tribesmen

BARA: The political administration on Thursday distributed compensation cheques among 200 people of Malikdinkhel tribe in Maidan area of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency whose houses had been destroyed during militancy.

The ceremony was held at the Khyber House in Peshawar which was attended by local elders and civil administration and Khyber Rifles officials. Speaking on the occasion, Khyber Agency Political Agent Khalid Mehmood said that in the first phase the administration had distributed compensation cheques among 200 persons of the Malikdinkhel tribe whose houses had been either partially damaged or completely destroyed in militancy related incidents in Maidan area in Tirah valley.

He said the cheques were given to the internally displaced persons in two categories. Those in the category-I will get Rs0.4 million as their houses were completely destroyed, while Rs160,000 are for the owners of the partially damaged house.

The political agent added that in the second phase the administration would distribute Rs133 million among the other 700 militancy affected families of the agency."The survey of up to 3,782 houses has been completed in Khyber Agency.

The compensation cheques hand-over will be started soon," he stated. The official said the government was committed to send back all displaced families of Khyber Agency. Khalid Mehmood thanked Khyber Rifles, Pakistan Army and peace bodies for conducting a transparent survey of all damaged houses.

Assistant Political Agent of Bara Tehsil Muhammad Arif, Additional Political Agent Mir Raza, Agency Coordinating Officer Yousaf Shah Afridi, other officials and elders were present as well.

Later, Political Agent Khalid Mehmood and Khyber Rifles Commandant Col, Umar Farooq handed over the cheques to the affectees.