A large number of tribesmen on Saturday held a protest demonstration against National Logistic Cell (NLC) for erecting barriers at Torkham border town which were increasing miseries for commuters and local residents.
The demonstration was held under the auspices of Torkham Custom Agents Association and was attended by a large score of transporters, traders and residents.
They protestors marched through the Torkham bazaar holding placards and black flags. They were also wearing black arms bands and chanted slogans against NLC officials for creating hurdles for them.
The demonstrators blocked the Torkham Road for some time to put pressure and compel the NCL officials to remove the barriers. Addressing the protestors, Torkham Clearing Agents Association former President Zarqeeb Shinwari said that NLC was gradually depriving local tribesmen of their property and business.
Zarqeeb Shinwari said that local tribesmen leased a piece of land to NCL but the officials were gradually occupying the rest of their forefathers’ property worth billions of rupees.
He said NLC officials now started erecting barriers and installed gates on the roads that were being used by local residents and transporters. He said NLC blocked a main road that had been used by hundreds of people living in the border village of Bacha Mina.
The protesters threatened if the high NLC command did not take notice of their demands and the barriers and gate were not removed till October 9, they would give call for countrywide strike and will stop clearing of import and export goods at Torkham border.
The Torkham Road was reopened after the assurance of political tehslidar Shamsul Islam who visited the protesters and assured them for peaceful settlement of their issue. Shamsul Islam told them that he would convey their grievances to high-ups and would be resolved soon.