Jumping ship: Redeployed community policemen opt out of force

DPO says the men must perform their duties regardless of their posting.

PESHAWAR: More than a dozen community police constables in Badhaber have quit their jobs in the last 45 days after being deployed from their villages to check posts, The Express Tribune learnt on Friday.

The men were earlier deployed with different Aman Lashkars (peace militias) and were not on active duty. But when they were asked to man check posts which are prime targets of militants, the constables decided to leave their jobs, said sources privy to the matter.

“These men are not used to the tough life at a check post. The posts are often targeted with snipers in the daytime and surrounded [by militants] at night, forcing many community police constables to quit the force,” said one insider.

General Secretary of Tappa Momand Aman Committee, Mukamal Shah blamed the local station house officer (SHO), who had redeployed them to the check posts, for his “high handedness”.

According to Shah, more than 25 people have quit the force recently.

District Police Officer (DPO) of Badabher police station Fazal-e-Mula, however, contested Shah’s claim. “If you are a community police constable, you have to perform your duty even if this is what the police demands from you,” said Fazal, adding that no one was fired, nor was their salary not paid.



The community police personnel had initially been recruited on a two-year contract. The motive behind the move was to stop relying on Aman Lashkars which comprise of civilians and create law and order problems.

More than 100 constables have been recruited in Badabher alone. However, most of these men were not on active duty and were serving as guards of Aman Lashkar elders.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2013.