Wave of panic: Residents wary of installation of dustbins in city
Many of them fear these bins would provide space for militants to plant bombs
While speaking to The Express Tribune, WSSP Spokesperson Taimoor Shah said the department has concluded the mobilisation campaign in Shaheen Muslim Town-I and II to install bins. PHOTO: REUTERS
PESHAWAR:
Residents of various parts of the city have been consumed by panic as the spectre of militancy continues to loom over their lives.
A majority of citizens have refused to install dustbins near their houses as they fear it would provide militants a convenient space to plant bombs.
“We have installed a few dustbins in our areas but they have been removed by the residents who fear bombs will be planted on them,” Rab Nawaz Khan Khalil, a local government representative, told The Express Tribune.
According to Khalil, a campaign was held to mobilise the locals of Sikandar Town, Bilal Town, Nishterabad, Changarabad and Wapda Colony to apprise them regarding the importance of dustbins. “We even delivered sermons in mosques about the importance of cleanliness,” he added.
Largely unused
Khalil said bins had been installed along the streets but people seldom made use of these facilities.
“An awareness campaign is needed so that people can keep the city clean and support the relevant department in this cause,” Khalil said.
A doctor who lives in Bilal Town told The Express Tribune the relevant authorities installed a dustbin near his house. “But I decided to remove the bin as it could be used to hide bombs.” “Residents have started throwing waste outside the bin and its odour would create a nuisance for his family,” he said. “However, I throw waste in nearby dustbins installed on the roads.”
A creeping threat
While this fear of the unpredictable appears to be irrational at first, it reflects a deep-seated insecurity that has crept into society at large.
More often than not, insurgents have used dustbins to hide bombs and other explosive devices when planning an attack. In 2012, a bomb hidden in a dustbin targeted a Muharram procession in DI Khan. At least eight people lost their lives.
Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) has recently installed dustbins on roads to dispose of over 810 tonnes of solid waste produced by a city of approximately four million people.
However, they also plan to install dustbins in specific localities to dispose solid waste produced by households. According to WSSP, 76% of the solid waste is collected by them to keep the city clean.
Official narrative
While speaking to The Express Tribune, WSSP Spokesperson Taimoor Shah said the department has concluded the mobilisation campaign in Shaheen Muslim Town-I and II to install bins.
According to Shah, spaces have been identified in a survey for the installation of the bins.
He said 350 static bins, 350 wheelie bins and 24 waste trolleys would be installed in these two localities. He said the residents have been taken into confidence and the installation would begin soon with the support of local government representatives.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2016.
Residents of various parts of the city have been consumed by panic as the spectre of militancy continues to loom over their lives.
A majority of citizens have refused to install dustbins near their houses as they fear it would provide militants a convenient space to plant bombs.
“We have installed a few dustbins in our areas but they have been removed by the residents who fear bombs will be planted on them,” Rab Nawaz Khan Khalil, a local government representative, told The Express Tribune.
According to Khalil, a campaign was held to mobilise the locals of Sikandar Town, Bilal Town, Nishterabad, Changarabad and Wapda Colony to apprise them regarding the importance of dustbins. “We even delivered sermons in mosques about the importance of cleanliness,” he added.
Largely unused
Khalil said bins had been installed along the streets but people seldom made use of these facilities.
“An awareness campaign is needed so that people can keep the city clean and support the relevant department in this cause,” Khalil said.
A doctor who lives in Bilal Town told The Express Tribune the relevant authorities installed a dustbin near his house. “But I decided to remove the bin as it could be used to hide bombs.” “Residents have started throwing waste outside the bin and its odour would create a nuisance for his family,” he said. “However, I throw waste in nearby dustbins installed on the roads.”
A creeping threat
While this fear of the unpredictable appears to be irrational at first, it reflects a deep-seated insecurity that has crept into society at large.
More often than not, insurgents have used dustbins to hide bombs and other explosive devices when planning an attack. In 2012, a bomb hidden in a dustbin targeted a Muharram procession in DI Khan. At least eight people lost their lives.
Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) has recently installed dustbins on roads to dispose of over 810 tonnes of solid waste produced by a city of approximately four million people.
However, they also plan to install dustbins in specific localities to dispose solid waste produced by households. According to WSSP, 76% of the solid waste is collected by them to keep the city clean.
Official narrative
While speaking to The Express Tribune, WSSP Spokesperson Taimoor Shah said the department has concluded the mobilisation campaign in Shaheen Muslim Town-I and II to install bins.
According to Shah, spaces have been identified in a survey for the installation of the bins.
He said 350 static bins, 350 wheelie bins and 24 waste trolleys would be installed in these two localities. He said the residents have been taken into confidence and the installation would begin soon with the support of local government representatives.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2016.