Conflict Resolution Barkhan
The people usually resort for conflict resolution to the judiciary system or to the tribal jirga system. Although Barkhan district is a peaceful area, sometimes conflicts lead to tribal vendetta. In such cases the tribal jirga system is more effective than government judiciary. The jirga system is the traditional system of justice, to settle legal cases and disputes. The system was in practice during British time and modified under the provision ordinance (criminal provisions-2) of 1968 to make justice more easy. The system was abolished in 1991, but the people can still form a provisional jirga comprising of notables, when there is need of conflict resolution. Whenever there is a dispute between two persons or parties, the notables of one side go for reconciliation to the other party and sit together to resolve the issue. Sometimes the dispute is resolved through imposition of penalties in the form of cash, land, kind or females by marrying to the inflicted side.
In many conflicts fighting in retaliation is resorted to and such disputes are mostly decided by compensation according to the riwaj in courts and out of courts. Murder in retaliation is common. If the government gets involved, the murderer is however tried in courts and imprisoned up to 14 years, in accordance with the circumstances of each case. But in many cases compromises are made between the parties on local terms. Then the murderer pays 2 to 3 thousand rupees in cash or property as blood money, or daughters or sisters are given in marriage to the injured party in order to save the murderer from punishment by courts. On account of this riwaj, there has been no decrease in the incident of murder offences nor has there been improvement in social feelings. The riwaj system is rather responsible for the misery and poverty of many families. Similarly, other offences are mostly decided on by compensating the injured party with money or property. According to the riwaj, the inhabitants of a village or of the area not further than 8 km away from the murderer’s house, are obliged to surrender the offender or give his name and address. Each person who does not cooperate has to pay a fine to contribute to the amount of compensation for the injured party.