SWAT: The people of Swat have rejected the government’s decision to present leaders of the Tehrek-e-Taliban (TTP), already in custody, before a court to be tried. The provincial government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had ordered recently that members of the TTP and other militants in police custody be presented before the Anti-terrorist court in Mingora for trial.
This demand was, however, rejected by locals who feel that the crimes committed by these men have already been proven and they should be killed the way they killed thousands of innocent people.
Arshad Abdullah, minister for law Khyber-Paktunkhwa (K-P), told The Express Tribune, “These people should be produced in front of a court for legal prosecution. In the Malakand Division, about 600 FIRs have been registered while more than 200 militants are wanted by the law enforcement agencies.”
“We are trying our best that the court proceedings should start soon and we have already purchased a building in Mingora but it will take a little time to establish a fully functional court there because there are some technicalities that need to be taken care of, hopefully, by the end of this month it should be complete,” Abdullah added.
The local people of Swat have something else in mind for these militants. Hazrat Hilal, a resident of Mingora, told The Express Tribune, “Muslim Khan dragged innocent people into Mingora Bazar and every morning we would see dead bodies hanging on poles or dead bodies would be lying scattered in different places, killed ruthlessly and beheaded. We only want to see these militants treated in the same manner as they treated the locals here, and then we would be satisfied and happy.”
Hazrat Ali, another local of Mingora, said that ironically those who supported the militants by giving them water and food were the ones who were targeted. “These criminals should be treated the way they treated others, we do not want them to appear before courts. We want their bodies to be hanging on poles, tortured as well,” Ali said.
Rahman, a shopkeeper in Mingora, said, “Why should they be presented before court? Muslim Khan and the other leaders openly accepted the responsibility of every anti-state activity, like suicide attacks, bomb blasts and ruthless killings, then what is the need of trial? They are guilty of killing thousands and should be punished in the severest of manners.”
The hatred and vengefulness is prevalent in all locals from the area who feel that the crimes committed by these militants are unforgivable. Mohammad Rahim, a resident of Kabal, said, “If you want to kill a snake, you have to cut off its head, if the government and army want to eradicate militancy they have to crush their leader otherwise militancy will not be eliminated.”
“If they are presented before courts no one will be witnesses against them as they will fear for their lives and their families. Muslim Khan would always boast over the radio after committing every crime, so we demand from the government to punish them severely without presenting them before courts,” Rahim added.
According to the government officials, more than 2,500 militants have been arrested by the security forces and are in custody but according to local sources the number of people in police custody is more than 5,000. Locals want quick action against these militants who have destroyed the lives of many people.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2010.
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