Decades-old dispute between Badakhshan villagers ends

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Residents of two villages have agreed to end their 20-year-old conflict in Khash district of northeastern Badakhshan province, thanks to mediation of a government delegation.

The residents of Kaj Gardan and Sar Lola villages had been in a dispute over irrigation water since last twenty years.

Qazi Khairullah Hakimi, the head of the governor’s office, headed the government delegation that comprised representatives of the Vice and Virtue, Agriculture and Livestock Departments and Religious Scholars Council.

The delegation traveled to Khash district to mediate between the rivals and discussed the issue with other local officials, tribal elders and influential figures.

Hakimi said: “The conflict was over a channel of water that originates from Dehpara village and passes through Dshati Sokhta, Dashti Sare Lola areas and irrigates hundreds of acres of agriculture land. The people of Kaj Gardan village did not allow the residents of Sare Lola village to have their share in the water, as we mediated, the conflict was resolved”.

He added hundreds of families lived in both villages and the 20-year-old conflict was resolved with the consent of the people of both villages.

The head of the delegation said the conflict was decided according to the decision of 1382 year.

The residents of Sare Lola village got 36 hours of water in a week, the residents of Zulm Abad villager 6 hours and the rest of the water belonged to the residents of Kaj Gardan village while another one inch permanent water flow was allocated for drinking water for the people of Dasht-i-Sokhta village.

He added the disputing parties were happy about the decision and said they would live like brothers and would not indulge in such dispute in the future.

aw/ma