Official Return of Malakand IDPs Starts Today

The government has announced the start of the official return of internally displaced people (IDPs) of the Malakand division. The return of the IDPs has been planned for completion in three phases, over a fortnight’s span of time. However, some 550 displaced families have reportedly refused to go back home.

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The announcement of starting IDPs’ return from Monday onwards came from the provincial government of NWFP on Saturday, July 11, 2009. More than 23, 000 displaced families from the districts of Swat, Buner, Dir, and Malakand will be returned to their houses in a two-week time. The process will be completed in three phases: in phase I, the IDPs currently living in relief camps will be escorted home; in phase II, those temporarily residing in educational institutes (schools and colleges), will return home; and in the final phase, IDPs living with relatives or on rent in other places (outside the Malakand division) will return home.

The news sources been have informed that the return of the IDPs will take place under the protection of army, Frontier Corps, Police and other security personnel – all escorting the IDP convoys on their way back home. Meanwhile, it has also been learnt that almost 550 displaced families have refused to return home. These people are living in relief camps and have not yet received their due share of the financial aid (25, 000 rupees per family) sanctioned by the government. Before returning home, they deserve to get this aid and hence they have refused to home in protest.