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India-Pakistan
Govt lifts restrictions on IDPs going home
2009-07-15
MINGORA: The government on Tuesday lifted restrictions on the return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), hoping to boost confidence among residents wary that the Taliban might come back.

Authorities on Monday had begun returning the IDPs to their homes, but fearing trouble on the main road into the valley and wary of the Taliban trying to slip back in, stopped private vehicles from entering the valley, only letting government buses and trucks through. That restriction was lifted on Tuesday, said Lt Col Waseem Shahid, a spokesman for the government unit overseeing the humanitarian effort.

“Now, hopefully, the numbers will swell as there are no restrictions and their confidence will be boosted when they see their fellows living there in peace,” he said.
Now for the humorous part --
No top Taliban leaders in the valley were reported killed or captured and residents had seen previous military drives end only for the Taliban to re-emerge from their mountain hideouts. Responding to the IDPs skepticism, the army and government insisted that this time the Taliban would not be allowed back.

Islamabad says it would next go after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud in his stronghold in South Waziristan.
Posted by:Steve White

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