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Shandur festival opposed
By Zahiruddin
CHITRAL: The residents of Chitral have demanded the
cancellation of Shandur festival due to the ongoing turmoil in the
neighbouring districts of Chitral. Talking to chitraltimes.com here
on Friday, they expressed their anguish over the decision of the
district government to hold the Shandur polo festival ignoring the
ground realities of law and order situation in the region. They
said that festival is held only in a peaceful environment but in
Chitral it quite fearsome and terrifying due to the military
operation in Swat, Buner, Lower Dir and Upper Dir districts which
have common boundaries with Chitral district. They said that the
people of Chitral are indirectly affected of the Taliban activities
and military operation in Swat and other areas. The dead bodies of
the Chitral Scouts personnel martyred in the military operation are
brought here almost every week while the district government is
planning of jubilation in Shandur, they added. They also feared
that terrorist elements will find a chance to intrude into the
district in the garb of tourist during on the occasion of festival
as very large people thronged to the venue from the other parts of
the country every year. The residents said that a large amount of
money is spent on making the arrangements for the festival and this
amount should be deposited in the prime minister’s fund for IDPs.
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