Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) chief Mangal Bagh has asked the people of Landi Kotal to follow his organisation's manifesto with immediate effect.He conveyed the message through his FM radio station on Friday night in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber Agency. He asked the people to voluntarily hoist LI's black flags on their rooftops and warned them armed LI militants would force them to do so if they failed to comply.
Mangal: The LI chief asked men to cover their heads with caps and keep their ankles visible to avoid punishment and fines. The shopkeepers selling caps said that a large number of people had bought caps to avoid insult and punishment by the armed LI supporters. Sales of radio sets are also up, as people have to listen to the orders given by Mangal in his speeches every night when warnings are broadcast.
Every prayer leader will have to follow the timetable for five prayers set by the LI, so that all people offer their prayers at the same time, Mangal said. People belonging to different political and religious organisations have not publicly denounced LI orders, but have expressed their frustrations covertly. Assistant Political Agent (APA) Landi Kotal Muhammad Tuhab Khan failed again on Saturday to gain a consensus of Shinwari tribes' elders concerning Mangal's expulsion from Landi Kotal.The Shinwari elders sought further time to reach a decision. One of the Shinwari elders reportedly favoured LI's steps for peace in the area.
Meanwhile, members of the Piro Khel and Sheikhmal Khel Shinwari tribes have taken positions in trenches to stop LI gunmen from entering the area. The APA has asked the elders of the Zakha Khel and Shinwari tribes to unite for expelling the LI from the area, but both tr ibes have refused to raise weapons and jeopardise the security of their tribesmen.