The return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) tehsil Mamund and tehsil Nawagai in Bajaur Agency started after the authorities declared these areas as no longer being conflict zone. The decision had been made after the security forces successfully completed an operation to get these areas rid of miscreants, said a spokesman for the Directorate of Information Fata here Thursday.
The repatriation process of the Bajaur IDPs hailing from 53 villages in Wara Mamund and Charmang area of tehsil Nawagai shall be carried out under the supervision of the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) along with the support coming from Special Support Group (SSG) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). These dislocated families from Bajaur have been sheltered in camps set-up at Charsadda, Nawshera, Lower Dir and Hangu Districts.
As many as 18,402 families comprising of 94,879 individuals moved to these camps after the security forces launched a major counter offensive in Bajaur Agency to wipe out anti-state elements operating there. It is also worth adding here that 416 families residing in Palosa Camp in District Charsadda had already expressed their willingness to return to Bajaur as normalcy returns to the conflict hit region.
The remaining 40 families have been shifted to Jalozai camp in district Nowshera. Secretary Law and Order FATA, Captain, Tariq Hayat Khan informed the media that preparations had been prioritised and extended to ensure smooth and safe return of these displaced tribals to their native areas.