Daily Times

Locals’ tribesmen of Musa Khel Tora Khawa of Biazai tehsil blocked the main Peshawar-Bajaur road as protest against the illegal occupation of marble mines by some influential contractors in front of Mohmand Press Club here at Ghalanai.

Angry protesters first put contractors’ charpaies and others goods in the marble mines on fire at Tora Khawa Biazai in the border area after which they stopped their work.

Tribesmen told that they warned the contractors time after time to stop work in the marble mines but they still continued their work.

Firstly, tribesmen protested in front of Bahi Daag Sub-divisional office where Khassadar and Levy forces exchanged heated debate and started quarrel with them. Consequently, an old tribesman injured due to Levy Khassadar violence.

Then protesters blocked the main Peshawar road in front of Mohmand Press Club Ghalanai and burnt tires.

The protesters told that the agreement between these contractors and tribe was expired in 2017; while with the help of district administration they were carrying marble from their mines which was unjustified.

“Three times contractors lost their case in the administration but what should we do as the Marble Mafia are desperate to deprive people of the benefits of natural minerals,” tribesmen told.

They complained that the administration is incompetent and taking bribes. ‘Mafia activities are in full swing, we are compelled to protest.’

They threatened that if the district administration did not resolve the issue within a week, then they would protest again for their rights.

Published in Daily Times, February 6^th 2019.