Khugakhel tribesmen protest ‘deal’

LANDIKOTAL: The Khugakhel tribesmen Sunday protested against the reported deal between tribal chieftains and officials of the National Logistics Cell.  Led by Member National Assembly Shah Jee Gul, the protesters, holding black flags and chanting slogans against local maliks, gathered at the Bacha Khan Chowk in Landikotal bazaar.

Speaking on the occasion, MNA Shah Jee Gul said that National Logistic Cell officials should obey an earlier agreement signed with Khugakhel tribe in June last year, instead of signing a new one.

He said hundreds of civilians, besides the security personnel, sacrificed their lives but they did not let militancy flourish in their areas. The legislator said the recent deal, signed by a committee of local elders, was not acceptable to them.

The Khugakhel tribesmen threatened to block Torkham-Landikotal road in protest if the agreement signed with them was not implemented by the NLC.JI leader Abdur Rauf, Muqtadar Afridi and Khugakhel elder Zakria Shinwari also addressed the protesters.