KHYBER AGENCY - The tribesmen of Khuga Khel staged a protest demonstration on Wednesday against the National Logistic Cell for allegedly holding their land in Torkham that left hundreds of tribesmen jobless.
Hundreds of tribesmen gathered at Bacha Khan square, main Landi Kotal bazaar while carrying black flags and chanted slogans against NLC.
They were resenting NLC’s alleged expansion policy on the territory of Khuga Khel tribes without the approval of the locals. Speaking to the angry protesters, its leaders including Mirajuddin Shinwari, Zarqeeb Khan, Tajuddin, Khyal Muhammad and others condemned the NLC for illegal 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 the tribal leaders of Khuga Khel, the real owners of the territory, on board, 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 shuts down private business through the imposition of injustice and unnecessary hurdles. NLC was a contractor but ironically it carried out duties of other government departments at Torkham border which was a matter of concern, the protesters alleged. They added that NLC failed to honour its contact regarding the establishment of a 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), Corps Commander, Peshawar and other concerned officials to forthwith address their miseries or they would have no option but to initiate indefinite agitation against the NLC. The protesters marched towards Landi Kotal press club where it dispersed peacefully.