Thousands protest lawlessness in Swat

Locals say they can’t afford return of 2009-like situation; demand protection from armed bands

MINGORA:

Thousands of members of political parties, civil society, clerics and local residents staged a protest demonstration in Swat on Friday against the increasing lawlessness, return of armed bands to the mountains and deadly attacks at former peace committee members.

Large rallies were brought out from different parts of the city after Friday prayers that reached the open space of Kabal Chowk.

The call for the protest had been given by a local apolitical organization Swat Milli Pasawon.

Local residents assembled in Kabal Chowk in their thousands and passed a resolution in which strict measures had been demanded from the government and other stakeholders in order to maintain peace in the district.

Awami National Party (ANP)’s Rehmat Khan, Khurshid Kaka Jee, Jamiat Uelema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F)’s Mufti Arifullah, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)’s Osman Ghani, Ali Khan Umid and others addressed the rally and said that the district and its people could not afford lawlessness anymore.

“It is the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies to protect the lives and property of the public. We can’t afford leaving our homes behind and be displaced to other parts of the province like in the past,” they said, adding that if the provincial government as well as federal government can’t protect the general public then they should resign.

“We don’t need a government in the province or at Centre, nor any political leaders who can’t provide us with protection,” they added.

Locals maintained that they were not safe in the four walls of their homes and were worried about their lives after the broad daylight attacks.

“Every effort is being made to create the 2009-like situation in the district but it is not acceptable for anyone. We will sacrifice our lives but will not accept lawlessness on our land,” they said.

It may be mentioned here that the entire district has been in the grip of widespread panic after the TTP militants reappeared in the mountains of Matta area of Swat on August 5.

When a police party was sent to verify the report about the presence of armed militants camped on the mountain tops, they made a DSP hostage after exchange of fire. His video was also released to the public by militants on social media.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2022.