Most IDPs refuse to return from Jalozai Benazir Camp

PESHAWAR – Government’s plan to repatriate the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from Jalozai area into Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies failed on Monday when none of the families showed interest to be repatriated. The FATA Development Management Authority had announced IDPs’ repatriation to both Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies from Monday and, in this respect, the government provided those IDPs with buses and trucks who intended to be repatriated. However, almost all the dwellers from both Jalozai and Benazir Camps refused to return.
The officials said only two families were enrolled for volunteer repatriation till Monday morning whereas the figures reached 42 till afternoon. However, before embarking on buses, the IDP’s made demands for increasing cash amount from Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000 besides more perks and privileges. The official present on the occasion expressed inability to honour the demands, therefore, the repatriation plan failed.
At least 88,000 people from 16,000 families are registered as IDPs in both Jalozai and Benazir Camps while the strength of IDPs living in urban towns and villages is 65,000.