A long-standing disagreement over the possession of a lucrative gold mine in South Waziristan turned violent on Saturday, leaving at least four people wounded. The conflict started because of the rivalry between the two tribes of the region, who both believe that the land belonged to their ancestors due to its richness in minerals. As the rivalry grew stronger, members of both the tribes resorted to shooting each other in heavy exchange of gunfire, posing danger to the lives of the people in the nearby regions.
Security Forces Intervene to Restore Order
After the occurrence of violence, the local police and other security forces arrived at the scene to stop any more shedding of blood. The injured were immediately taken to the nearest hospital where the doctors found out that there were still two people in a critical state. Law enforcement officers set up a buffer zone between the fighting groups to make the area stable. Therefore, the local government has started negotiations with the tribal leaders to settle the dispute and avoid retaliations.
Legal Challenges and the Search for Mediation
This conflict arises from the overlap in their claims with regard to the borders of the mining location, an issue that has been lingering since a number of years ago. Both parties seem unwilling to yield due to the presence of abundant deposits of gold in the area. The government is now striving to clear up its archives and documents for finding a solution once and for all. In addition, the administration of the district issued a warning that any act that will violate the law again will result in stricter measures being taken.
