Swat protests ‘return of Taliban’

Thousands of residents of Khwaza Khela and Kabal took to the streets on Friday to record their protest against the alleged return of militants to the mountains in Swat district and vowed that militancy will not be tolerated under any circumstances in the region.

The entire Malakand Division has been in the grip of panic after militants kidnapped four policemen in Matta, Swat and shifted them to their camp in the hills. All the four were later released after locals formed a Jirga to negotiate their release.

The incident was initially denied by police who claimed that an encounter took place between police and militants after which terrorists escaped. Taliban, however, released a video in which DSP Matta could be seen lying on the ground in injured condition surrounded by militants.

Protesters blocked several roads for all kinds of vehicular traffic. They alleged that militants had reached the hills in Swat despite the presence of security forces, police and other law enforcement agencies but they would not be allowed to enforce their violent ideology on locals once again.

“Locals will not allow anyone to fulfill their agenda by restarting militancy in the region. If police and security forces fail to control this situation then we will take action against these outlaws on our own,” the speakers warned.

Similarly, several large protests were held in other parts of Kabal in which the government was blamed for negligence.

Local residents also said that militants had announced in Matta that people should stay at home after 8 pm and they should not go to the mountains. They said that militants had even used barbed wire to close pathways leading to the mountains without inviting attention.

On the other hand, a grand Jirga of Sultan Khel and Painda Khel clans was held in Wari Jirga Hall, Upper Dir district.

Local elders voiced strong reservations on the alleged movement of militants in the area.

In statement police they are aware of apprehension in general public that Swat may return to 2008 era when militant ruled the valley with their version of Shariah law.

K-P police assures that Swat is totally under control of civil administration and all LEAs are ready to respond to any misadventure.

The statement says that peaceful society of Swat has no space for terrorism in any form and manifestation and LEAs are appropriately placed and will resort to all possible measures to ensure peace in Swat as per aspirations of local populace.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2022.