Swat unrest: Qaumi Jirga demands arrest of target killers

MINGORA:

Swat Qaumi Jirga expressed its concern over the recent spate of killings which were then followed by a strict curfew and search operation by security forces in the district. A meeting of the office bearers of Swat Qaumi Jirga was held in Makan Bagh on Sunday.

Jirga members urged law enforcement agencies to nab the elements involved in the target killings of village defence committee (VDC) members and not disturb citizens by imposing curfews. They condemned the September 15th killings of three VDC members and said there has been little practical action in the investigation.

“Continuous killings of elders and VDC members and the failure of law enforcement agencies is questionable,” said Mukhtar Yousazai, an elder of the Jirga. “The district administration and security agencies have failed to ensure law and order in Swat.”

Different parts of Swat remained under strict curfew on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2014.