Greek engineer's kidnapping: Kalash minority threatens to migrate from Pakistan

The people of the Kalash valley of Chitral on Friday threatened to migrate from Pakistan to some other country, if they were not provided security against militants. Demanding early recovery of kidnapped Greek engineer Athuanasis Lerunis, representatives of Kalash valley told a press conference at Peshawar Press Club (PPC) that Greek engineer was kidnapped by the militants.
A minority member of the NWFP Assembly Javed Prince was also present on the occasion. They said the Greek engineer, who was running a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the last 20 years, was kidnapped by the militants. The whereabouts of the kidnapped Greek engineer were not yet known.
Kalash is centuries-old unique culture prevailing in Kalash valley, comprising three areas of Bomborit, Barrear and Rambor in landlocked district Chitral. Kalash accused the militants of kidnapping, and alleged that they had unleashed a reign of terror on the people of Kalash valley.
According to Taleem Khan, Chost Yar Khan and Mst. Saeed Gul, several groups Taliban militants unleashed a reign of terror on the peaceful and innocent Kalash, A head constable of police, Zafar has also been killed due to the torture of the militants.
"We are peaceful people and we do not possess a shotgun to protect ourselves, but still some elements are polluting the peaceful environment of the valley," said Taleem Khan, a Kalash youth. He warned that in case the government failed in the recovery of the Greek engineer, then they would be compelled to migrate from Pakistan to some other country.
He criticised the police, and alleged they remained silent spectators to the activities of the militants. Referring to the government's claim that most of area of the division had been cleared of the militants, they said so far no military operation had been extended to Chitral. They demanded deployment of military in the districts clear the area of the religious extremist militants.
They said that the deployment of military would not only provide security to the Kalash, but would also keep vigilance on the cross-border infiltration, they added. Gul Saeed, a Kalash woman wearing traditional cap and dress, said that since the creation of Pakistan, nothing was done for the development of the area, and added that the people of the valley were deprived of basic human rights. Speaking on the occasion, MPA Prince Javed condemned the kidnapping of the Greek engineer, demanded his immediate recovery of the kidnapped Greek Engineer and deployment of military to provide security to people of Kalash valley.