Bara peace conditions

The Statesman

Named as ‘Biya daraghlam’, the Bara military operation entered into its 7th day on Monday. The security forces used Air Force jets and the gunship helicopters in remote parts of the tribal Khyber Agency to hit the training camps and the hideouts of the militants. Partly due to the operation getting prolonged but chiefly due to the strafing, a mediatory jirga comprising members of the local peace committee and tribal elders met the political tehsildar of Bara to see if the operation could be brought to an early end. Remarkable thing about the Bara parleys was that the political administration on its part did not show any indecent haste in initiating any move to slow down, put off or stop the operation. The administration told the jirga that before concluding any peace deal the militants will have to surrender 68 of their accomplices most wanted by the law enforcing agencies. Moreover, they will acknowledge the writ of the government and not use FM transmitters or publicly carry arms. The administration also told the jirga that as punishment for the breach of previous peace agreement and as surety for the future deal, the amount of fine had been enhanced from Rs30 to 60 million.
Bara was once the hub of peaceful trade activities. Visitors from outside envied the prosperity of the traders, the general rush on roadside stalls of food and drinks the activism of transporters. The entire stretch of road was so peaceful that a teenager in the middle of night could drive alone up to Bara and back. So sudden indeed has been the twist in the turn of events that a group of friends armed with guns would now think twice before travelling to Bara even at midday. The mediatory jirga should meet the government demands at the earliest so that the displaced persons can return home soon and celebrate the Eidul Fitr with their near and dear ones.