Conflict between the residents of Khwaja Bahauddin district of northern Takhar province and Kochi nomads left 15 injured last week. Taliban officials met with both groups on Friday and called for a temporary truce, a community elder from Mahajir Qashlaq district told Zan Times, on the condition of anonymity.
Copy of a letter has been shared with Zan Times, which asks both sides to stay calm. “Everyone should stay in their place of residence, and no one has the right to encroach on another’s property,” the first article in the letter states. This came after a clash on Thursday that left eight wounded.
The second article of the letter states that “no one from neighbouring districts and villages will be allowed to intervene.” The third article adds that until “the decision of the court and directives of the central government, the parties do not have the right to encroach on another’s land and property.”
The letter also warns, in case of violation, “the subsequent consequences will be borne by the violators.”
Three residents of the district, speaking to Zan Times, say that their house and property have been attacked by the nomads who have just entered the country from Pakistan.
According to these residents, there have been three clashes between the parties in the past week, as a result of which 15 people, including a woman, have been injured.
“Nomads are supported by the Taliban and are equipped with light and heavy weapons,” one of the residents said. But the residents have been resisting with sticks, shovels and pickaxes.
The Kochis who have come from Pakistan to Khwaja Bahauddin district have told the media that they had abandoned their agricultural lands and houses decades ago due to the lack of water and war, and now want to reclaim their property.
A resident of Khwaja Bahauddin district estimates the Kochi nomads consist of about 700 families.
