BUNER - Amidst continued military action against Taliban militants in certain parts of Buner, migration is on the rise from Chamla, Gagra, Gadezai and other areas and thousands of people have flooded the adjacent towns and villages of Swabi and Mardan Districts. So far, more than 70,000 families have left the Chamla area whereas thousands of people from other parts of Gagra have also shifted to peaceful and safe areas. However, speculations, rumours and propaganda were playing a key role in large-scale migration from the area. During a visit to certain villages and towns of Khadukhel, region of Buner District, this scribe witnessed that scores of families from various parts of Chamla Tehsil were on their way to Swabi. In this respect, dwellers from towns like Chinglai, Ghurghushti, Totalai and Kas Koroona have established welcome camps where the displaced people are served with drinks, food and medicines. The Jamat-e-Islami affiliated Al-Khidmat Foundation has established a relief camp at Palodhand of Swabi District while Umma Welfare Trust has set up the relief camp on the junction of Swabi-Mardan and Swabi-Buner Road. Right from Sarathana, considered entrance from Swabi to Buner, to Durmayee top (a mountain connecting Khadukhel with Chamla Tehsil), this correspondent witnessed displaced families leaving the area boarding pick-ups, wagons, tractor trolleys and even tongas. Most of the displaced people comprised women and children. A schoolteacher from Totalai town said that one child was killed when he slipped from the lap of his mother on Friday evening. He also confirmed that two injured succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. These two were among the six injured as a result of shelling in Nawagai town. The displaced people, particularly women and children, are facing severe hardship in their long journey. A family from Mulla Sar village near Makhranai town arrived in Kas Koroona after a long journey through Mohaban mountains. They said that due to shelling they were unable to travel through Nawagai and Kawga, therefore, they used the Mohaban mountain known as Daba Nakhtar Pass. Similarly, a large number of women were witnessed walking from the affected areas. The Buner region is considered to be most backward and neglected and a large number of populace depends on livestock. Scores of people were witnessed leaving their homes and hamlets along with their livestock. Dozens of these people stayed overnight at Chinglai, one volunteer remarked, saying that later they resumed the journey towards some unknown destination. Amir Zada from Kawga town said, We are unaware of the destination. He, however, said they wanted to stay close to their area, as they would soon return whenever the security forces halted the military action. It was observed that majority of the displaced families had adjusted themselves with their relatives in Khadukhel region of Buner and certain towns and villages of Razar area of Swabi District. People from socio-politico circles have also arranged accommodation for the displaced families in Khadukhel area. Space in some of the hujras has also been provided to the displaced families. The NWFP Government has also established a relief camp at Chota Lahor for the displaced families from Buner District. Most of the people have no soft corner for Taliban. We are against Taliban but no other than former Commissioner Syed Mohammad Javed imposed them on us, remarked Yaqoot Khan. Similar were the views of Bahram Khan from Nawagai. They said that they were leaving their homes to avoid risk to their lives in the ongoing operation. We are happy with this military action but it must be limited and targeted, a number of displaced persons remarked while talking to this scribe at Chinglai town of Buner District. Most of the people irrespective of their socio-economic status have left their homes, remarked Yaqoot Khan, a political activist from Ambela town of Chamla Tehsil. The Ambela Pass remained bone of contention between the security forces and militants for around three days, therefore, it resulted in wide-range of displacement of the people. The security forces allegedly shot dead two persons for violating curfew. Though the officials have yet to confirm such reports, yet the displaced people informed that the dead bodies were still lying at the site. Yaqoot Khan said that the artillery shells were missing the targets and causing civilian casualties and human losses. He said that two children were killed and four injured in Ambela town whereas six persons, he said, were killed in Nawagai. He also informed that a large number of houses were also damaged in Ambela, Kankawai, Kowga, Nawagai and Sura towns of Buner District. However, there was confusion when a number of displaced people said that they had received reports about collateral damages from their kith and kin. Most of the dwellers have left their homes on speculations, rumours and calls by their relatives and friends. Amir Sultan Khan, a socio-politico figure from Nawagai, and Jaypur Khan from Sura town, have said that a few shells and mortars hit the residential areas in Ambela, Kankawai, Nawagai and Sura areas. They also confirmed that the ratio of collateral damages was meager as compared to Mohmand, Bajaur and Swat. However, both of them said that the government must ensure the ongoing operation was brief and result-oriented. APP adds: NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti has said that internally displaced families from Buner, Dir and other affected areas are our brothers and providing them relief is the duty and responsibility of the government as well as of all other sections of the society. In all two camps have been established in District Mardan and crisis management cell at divisional level for this purpose. He expressed these views during meetings with different delegations here at his office on Saturday. Members of the delegations included Akbar Khan, Nawab Khan, Kifayat Ullah Bacha, Rasheed Khan, Malik Ilyas, Qamar Zaman, Hashim, Zubair Khan, Jamroz Khan and other notables. The Chief Minister said that he knows the problems and difficulties of the IDPS adding that we are not in a position to provide them with required facilities and home like environment in the camps however we are trying our level best to provide them food stuff, medicines, clean drinking water and shelter. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure the availability of safe drinking water in summer. The crisis management cells have started their work in respect of counting the number of IDPs and the provisions of lists to governmental and non governmental organizations including the reporting of information of any incident to the Provincial Control Room and District and Divisional authorities. He also requested the people of Mardan to assist the IDPs and not to leave them all alone in this hour of need in order to protect them from further difficulties and problems. He expressed the hope that peace will be established due to efforts of the government and it will ensure the safe return of IDPs to their native homes.