Controversial authority: Peace militia members abuse power for personal gains

Adezai militia member accused of killing his love interest’s fiancé and brother.

PESHAWAR:

Peace militias have become increasingly prominent in the fight against militancy in the Adezai village. Over the years, however, militia members have been taking advantage of their positions and have resorted to violence against their personal rivals, labelling them militants. This happens right under the nose of the police, who they work closely with, without inviting much attention.

Recently, people who have daughters and sisters eligible for marriage have become a particular target for militia members. In one such instance, militia member Fida Hussain, a close relative of slain commander Haji Abdul Malik and an in-law of his brother Abdul Raziq, wanted to marry a girl who was already engaged. When he did not succeed, he burnt her house down and killed her fiancé and brother in broad daylight. An FIR was registered against Hussain and his accomplices who were involved.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Akhtar Hussain, the father of the two brothers, Mushahid Waqas and Wajahat, said that his son Wajahat and niece Nusrat had been engaged since childhood. Akhtar said that one day Fida, who was Nusrat’s neighbour, fired shots in the air out side her house proclaiming that Nusrat was to be his wife. Nusrat’s father, Jan Muhammad, was in Saudi Arabia at the time so her cousins approached Fida’s family who assured them she would not be harmed.

“Despite this, I asked Jan Muhammad and his family to move to our house for the safety of our children, and they did,” said Akhtar. They decided to arrange the marriage of the Nusrat and Wajahat soon after.

When Fida was informed about this, he attacked Akhtar’s house with his accomplices. Despite Nusrat’s family having called one of Fida’s brothers to assure that nothing would happen to the family, Fida came to the house. “Fida’s brother Ghulam Muhammad came to the area and told his brother to stop this nonsense,” Akhtar said, “but Fida opened fire at his own brother, killing him on the spot.” The FIR in this case was registered against Nusrat’s father, who fled to an undisclosed location, fearing the safety of this family.

But it did not end there. “One night police raided my house and took both of my sons without giving any reasons,” Akhtar recalled. Wajahat and Mushahid were released from the police station on a personal surety. Then on October 13, 2011 at 8pm, while they were on their way police station as they had to be produced in court by police, Fida and his two brothers, peace militia  leader Abdul Razaq and his son stopped them. They opened fire on Akhtar’s sons, killing them instantly.

Despite FIRs being registered against all the accused, they are still living in their houses as police are reluctant to take action against them. Akhtar said that Fida and his accomplices then distributed pamphlets locally publicising Nusrat, her sisters and their mother as call girls.

When approached, Aurat Foundation Programme Officer of Raskshinda Naz said that it was unfortunate that the Adezai peace militia had been involved in such acts. “It is a weakness in the system. The peace militia are just creating more anarchy,” she said.

“In this country police are busy providing security to VIPs. How can they protect the public?” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2012.