Passhtun-Hazara enmity over land finally resolved in Uruzgan

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): A 36-year-old feud between two tribes over 200 acres of land has been resolved in central Uruzgan province, an official said on Tuesday

Gizab district chief Mullah Mir Hamza Hanafi told Pajhwok Afghan News the enmity surfaced 36 years ago in Kanziri area of Gizab district, which ended on Thursday through the sale of the land.

The enmity was resolved by a mediation council consisted of six members each from Pashtoon and Hazara tribes. The council decided to set a price for the land in Kaziri area, he added.

The district chief said the 12-member council set a price of 30 million afghanis for the 200 acres of land, and decided that if either side could afford to buy the land, they would pay it to the other side.

“The clash was between Pashtoons and Hazaras. Finally, they accepted the council’s decision and Hazaras decided to buy the land. The agreed amount would be paid in three installments, and in return, the Pashtuns would give up ownership claim of the land,” Hanafi explained.

According to Hanafi, this decision ended a 36-year-old conflict between the rival tribes, saying during this period, both sides had repeatedly attacked each other and forced them to leave the area.

Meanwhile, Pashtoon and Hazara residents are happy that their long-standing problem has been resolved and will henceforth live in peace with each other.

Mullah Obaidullah, a resident, explained he was happy that his nearly 40-year-old problem had been resolved.

“I am happy after decades, mediators yesterday found a solution to this long-standing dispute”

According to Abdul Rashid, another resident, he is happy with the reconciliation.

“This money is beyond our means, but we are happy that our hostility has been resolved after decades”.

Earlier, hostilities over land ownership or other issues in different areas of Uruzgan province have been resolved by local officials, tribal elders, and religious scholars.

hz/ma