Govt decides to deploy FC to boost polio teams security

CM Mahmood orders ban on carrying weapons at public gatherings

PESHAWAR:

Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel will be deployed along with police for the security of polio vaccination campaigns in the province. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Tuesday.

He also directed police to make sure that no one goes to funerals and jirgas armed with rifles. This move comes after the unfortunate incident that claimed many lives in Dir Lower and Upper.

The meeting reviewed matters related to the law and order situation and discussed the implementation status of the decisions taken in the last meeting.

The forum was given a detailed briefing about the latest law and order situation, initiatives taken so far by the police and administration to maintain law and order, the possible impact of the emerging situation in neighboring country Afghanistan on the province and preparations of police and other law enforcing agencies to effectively deal with any untoward situation.

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Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Inspector General Police Muazzam Jah Ansari, divisional commissioners, Regional Police Officers and high ups of other law enforcing agencies attended the meeting.

The chief minister directed the police to pay special attention to crimes and terrorism. He expressed concerns over the incidents that occurred in district Dir Lower and Upper in which 17 lives were lost, directing the police an effective mechanism in order to contain such incidents in the future and to ensure that no one carries weapons to the jirgas, Janazagah and other such public gatherings.

Earlier, the meeting was informed that operations were underway against miscreants and criminal elements across the province and that a total of 2,631 cases were registered in under National Action Plan (NAP) during the last 35 days and 6,133 illegal weapons were confiscated.

Similarly, 250 cases were registered against the land mafia and 2,695 kilogram drugs were seized during actions against narcotics. It was further informed that Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) had been made fully functional in all the districts of the province to resolve family and land disputes.

Asaan Insaf Marakaz were also being established in police stations to change the traditional thana culture by extending maximum facilities to the public in thanas. Moreover, a special force of police had been established for the security of minorities’ worship places.

The forum also reviewed the security of polio teams and it was decided that if needed the services of Frontier Constabulary would be requisitioned for the next polio campaign.

Moreover, the meeting also decided to revisit the security of education institutions and health centers in the province.

The forum also decided to constitute a committee consisting of all the stakeholders to present recommendations to the federal government for necessary reforms and amendments in the existing Code of Criminal Procedure.