PESHAWAR - Amid protests over mismanagement in food distribution, a total of 4,56,508 tribesmen registered as IDPs at the Saidgai Check Point till Tuesday evening.
The IDPs protested against mismanagement in food distribution in Bannu, where majority of the displaced families are taking shelter after launching military operation against militants in North Waziristan Agency.
The IDPs blocked the Kohat-Bannu road for hours, demanding the administration to establish more food distribution points so that early delivery of food could be ensued to IDPs. The people in the area also faced difficulties owing to the blockade of road. To disperse the protesters, law enforcement agencies have to resort to aerial firing. From 600 to 700 tribesmen blocked the road and also pelted stones at official vehicles and even the windowpanes of commissioner Bannu have been reportedly smashed.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), a total of 36,831 families comprising 4,56,508 individuals have so far been registered as IDPs at Saidgai checkpost in Bannu, while a large number of livestock have also been brought by these IDPs along with themselves.
Besides, a relief camp has also been established in Bannu, which would work under the PDMA and will support the district administration in relief activities. The camps have been established by the FDMA and jointly administered by Pak Army and FDMA wherein all facilities like shelter, cooked food, water and other services are being provided to the displaced persons.
Looking to the trend of avoiding living in the camps, the provincial government has wisely decided to convert the assistance into cash for 15,000 displaced families as each family would be provided Rs3,000 per month upto six months.
Additionally, Rs5,000 (one time), as Ramadan Food Package will be given to each family. This whole amount will be transferred to each displaced family via a transparent mechanism by PDMA/FDMA on the basis of verified data from NADRA.
The PDMA has requested all the DCs to constitute district level committees to gather relevant information about displaced persons residing with their relatives. This data will be used for security as well as provision of cash to DPs.