They were protesting the arrest of their loved ones, who were allegedly taken away by security forces a week earlier. PHOTO: FILE
Women from Chanda village near Mohmand Agency’s headquarters on Tuesday protested against the arrest of their loved ones, who were allegedly taken away by security forces in a search operation a week earlier.
The women marched to Ghallanai from their village and blocked the Bajaur-Mohmand Highway from 9am till 1pm.
Demanding their loved ones be released, they said the political administration and Mohmand Rifles had picked up their relatives under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) after an improvised explosive device (IED) was defused along the roadside.
The protesters later gathered in front of Mohmand Press Club. Local PTI leader Sajid Mohmand told journalists that those held under the collective responsibility clause were not involved in any terrorist activity.
He claimed such problems are usually addressed by men and that the participation of women in the protest showed that they had no option left but to come out of their homes.
A woman who did not want to reveal her identity claimed her son, who was employed by the levies force, was arrested when he went to visit a relative in jail.
She claimed the force searched their house without any warrant and did not respect the Pukhtun tradition of Parda.
When contacted, Assistant Political Agent of Upper Mohmand Agency, Jamshed Khan, told The Express Tribune they have summoned a tribal jirga to discuss the issue.
He assured that those who are not involved in any terrorist activities will be released, claiming the administration always takes elders into confidence prior to a search operation and never violates the tribal code of conduct.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2014.
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