PESHAWAR: The residents of Mohmand Agency held a protest demonstration here on Monday against arrest of tribal people under collective responsibility clause of FCR and demanded early release of tribesmen.

The protesters, led by Syed Gulber Shah Mohmand, Mian Farooq Mohmand and Farmanullah, were holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for release of tribal people.

`The people have done nothing wrong but they have been arrested under collective responsibility clause of FCR, they said and added that sending innocent citizens behind bars was violation of basic human rights.

The protesters also expressed anguish over suspension of Internet and mobile phone service in Mohmand tribal region. They said that suspension of those services caused problems of local people.

The people, especially the students living in different parts of the country or abroad were facing serious problems due to suspension of mobile phones and they were unable to have contacts with their families even in emergency situation.

The protesters said that government was using delaying tactics to merge Federally Administered Tribal Areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They asked federal government to ensure early merger of Fata with the province so that tribal people could be able to raise voice for their rights and get access to court of law against the injustices of political administration. Bureau Report