Thousands take to streets in Waziristan

After large scale protests in Swat, Buner, Dir Lower and Upper as well as Swabi, Lakki Marwat and Kurram, thousands of tribesmen took to the streets against increasing lawlessness and attacks at police in Lower Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday.

They demanded of the government to take steps against terrorists and establish its writ till 20th otherwise they will stage a sit-in and block all entry and exit points as a protest.

The peace march and protest was held in Wana which was attended by thousands of people, including local tribesmen, civil society members, lawyers, tribal elders, political workers and government servants. “We demand a judicial complex, deputy commissioner, district police officer (DPO) and other offices for the newly established district in Wana,” said a tribal elder while talking to The Express Tribune, adding that after the merger all tribal districts were now part of K-P and it was the responsibility of the provincial government to bring peace to the restive districts.

The participants demanded putting a stop to the kidnapping for ransom, extortion, targeted attacks against local civilians and increasing attacks at police in the district.

They said that for the past few decades the area was systematically handed over to militants but this was no more acceptable because the lawlessness left thousands dead and millions displaced. Locals also demanded action against the open availability of drugs in the district and said that police was operating without the required infrastructure so government should complete the construction of at least six police stations and deploy enough policemen there. They said that police was ill-equipped and not properly trained and government should provide it with required equipment as well as training. The participants also demanded strict action against tinted glass vehicles and drug mafia.