KHAR: Rejecting the proposed policing system in the tribal districts, the anti-Fata reforms elders in Bajaur have called upon the government to review the plan to deploy police in the region.

They also threatened to launch a protest movement if the government did not take all the stakeholders into confidence prior to the deployments.

They were speaking at a meeting held here the other day, two days after the visit of DIG police Mohammad Saeed Waizr to the district in connection with the proposed police deployment.

It was attended among others by senior tribal elders, including chief of Mamond Malik Abdul Aziz Khan, Malik Mohammad Ayaz Khan, Malik Hifzur Rahman, Malik Mohammad Akbar, Malik Mohammad Nawaz and Malik Shaheen. They briefed the participants about the drawback of police system in the region.

The participants were told that the government had planned to extend police system to the tribal districts in order to accomplish the Fata reforms.

The speakers were of the view that extension of police system to the district was not in the interest of local people because most of them were not aware about the system.

According to them, extension of police system would not only sabotage the customs and traditions of region, but also create law and order.

The elders pointed out that the government, especially the governor and chief minister KP, had announced that they would not introduce such system to the tribal districts which contrasted with customs, traditions and culture of locals.

The elders said they would not give land to the government for establishment of police stations in their areas. They demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan, KP governor and the chief minister to respect the wishes of tribal elders and reverse the decision.

They also lashed out at DIG Mohammad Saeed Wazir for ignoring the tribal elders in his trip to the region.

According to sources, the police officer had met with senior officials of the district administration and Levies officials during his visit to the district.

Published in Dawn, October 29th , 2018

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