Khuga Khel tribe holds demo against NLC

Ahmad Nabi

LANDI KOTAL: The tribesmen of Khuga Khel staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday against forcibly holding of their land and other malpractices of National Logistic Cell (NLC) in Torkham that left hundreds of tribal jobless.

Hundreds of the tribal gathered at Bacha Khan square, main Landi Kotal bazaar while carrying black flags and were chanting full-throat slogans like, “go NLC go” or “down to NLC”etc. They were resenting NLC expansion policy on territory of Khuga Khel tribes without approval of the locals.

Speaking to the angry mob, its leaders including Mirajuddin Shinwari, Zarqeeb Khan, Tajuddin, Khyal Muhammad and others condemned the NLC for illegally possession of their land and said that last year the Khuga Khel tribes through an agreement granted 432 kanal land for setting up of terminal to the NLC but now the later had started getting control of surrounding territory that was violation of contract.

“We don’t allow NLC to get hold of our land, located in Torkham without taking confidence the tribal of Khuga Khel, the real owners of the territory, they remarked. They maintained that NLC was permitted to execute its initial scheme in Torkham for the interest of country and people but now it shutting down private business through imposition of injustice and unnecessary hurdles. NLC was contractor but ironically carried out duties of other government departments at Torkham border which was a matter of concern,the protesters accused.

They added that NLC failed to honor its contact regarding establishment of full-fledged terminal in Torkham and asked National Account Bureau (NAB) and FBR to investigate billion rupees embezzlement made by NLC in last few years in Torkham. They demanded of Army Chief, Director General Military Intelligence (MI), Corp Commander, Peshawar and other concerned officials to forthwith address their miseries or they would have no option but to initiate indefinite agitation against NLC. The protesters marched to Landi Kotal press club where it dispersed peacefully.