Clipping wings: Conduct code on the cards for peace militias

Police say the decision was taken after consistent complaints against members.

PESHAWAR: In a much-awaited move, police have decided to introduce a code of conduct for peace militias in Peshawar district.

The decision was taken after consistent complaints against volunteers for alleged kidnapping for ransom, illegal detention of people in private cells and killing of enemies by labelling them as militants.

The leaders of Adezai, Bazid Khel, Masho Gagar, Masho Khel and Suleman Khel militias have been informed by the police about the decision. “Chiefs of these armed groups were called to Peshawar Police Lines and told about our next move in a meeting with SSP Operation Tahir Ayub. After consultation, all chiefs will sign the code of conduct otherwise all peace groups will stand dissolved,” said a senior police official, who requested not to be named.

He said there were frequent reports about militia members settling their enmities under the garb of peace volunteers. The official added that some members were also involved in harassment cases.

“In the code of conduct, a leader and the volunteers cannot take the law into their hands and kill anyone. They cannot detain people in their private cells, pick any person and interrogate them because the same authority falls under the domain of the police. Their role will be limited only in helping local police conduct raids,” he said.

“We have made some important decisions which will be shared with the media once [the plan] is complete,” SSP Ayub told The Express Tribune, adding that the process will take some time to finalise.

He added that they had decided to change the names of the groups from aman lashkars to peace committees, but declined to comment further.

Chief of Adezai peace militia, Dilawar Khan, who has become increasingly critical of the police in recent days, confirmed to The Express Tribune that a meeting was held with senior police officials in which the groups’ issues were discussed.

“We were informed that all militias have to follow a proper code of conduct, otherwise legal action will be taken against us,” he added.

Khan agreed with the allegation that some of their members were involved in criminal activities, but accused the police for facilitating them.

Separate box

Chief of a peace militia was killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast, while another was injured in Bandha area of subdivision Nawagai, Bajaur Agency on Tuesday, an official said.

Abdul Malik, an official of the political administration Nawagai, said that Bandha peace militia chief Malik Attaullah Khan was killed and nephew identified as Fauji was injured in the blast.

The official said that the two were on the way to Nawagai Bazaar, around half a kilometer away from his hometown Bandha, when the explosion occurred, killing Khan on the spot.

His nephew was rushed to the Agency Headquarters Hospital Khar, where doctors declared his condition stable. The official further said that security forces reached the area and started a search operation, but no one was arrested.

“It was the third attack on him,” the official said, adding that he was targeted twice by militants before after he took over as chief of the peace militia.