Kunar families end 25 years old enmity

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Two families have reconciled, ending a 25-year-old enmity as a result of efforts from local officials and tribal elders in the Watapur district of eastern Kunar province.

The feud between the families of Sakhi Jan and Rahmat Khan erupted 25 years ago over land ownership, killing two individuals — one from each side.

Lal Pacha, a tribal elder and member of the reconciliation jirga, said: “Both families had been locked in enmity over the past 25 years and lived miserable life. But today, they pardoned each other and promised to live a peaceful life.”

According to him, the jirga decided that in case of violation of its verdict by any side, tribal leaders and the government will hold them responsible.

Meanwhile, the reconciling families are also happy with the decision of the jirga, which converted their enmity into friendship through mediation.

Sakhi Jan, who lost a young member of his family to the feud, said he was happy over reconciliation with the rival family. He vowed to live a peaceful life from now on.

“We lived as refugees for 25 years due to hostility; we left our village, home and relatives and regret the loss of young people,” he remarked.

Rahmat Jan said: “This feud had literally life miserable for us; we lived in constant fear, moving from one place or another. I thank the provincial administration and the tribal jirga for mediation between us.”

Maulvi Aziz-ul-Rahman, director of courts, said the provincial administration was working together with tribal leaders to resolve conflicts among Kunar people.

Over the past three years, he said, they had resolved dozens of major and small disputes among people and tribes in Kunar through mediation by local officials and tribal elders.

sa/mud

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