Amn Tehrik worried at worsening security situation
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bureau report
PESHAWAR: Amn Tehrik said on Sunday the security situation was worsening again in Malakand division, other parts of the province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) as militants were resurfacing and bullying the innocent people without being challenged.
The observation was made at the Steering Committee meeting of the Amn Tehrik, presided over by Shamim Shahid, member of the body and President of the Peshawar Press Club. Other participants included convener for Amn Tehrik Idrees Kamal, Dr Said Alam Mahsud, Mukhtar Bacha, Shahab Khattak advocate, Hameedullah Zahid, Ijaz Durrani, Shakeel Waheedullah, Zar Ali Khan Musazai, Shagufta Malik, Jan Nisar Khan Khalil, Tariq Afghan and others.
The situation in Malakand division, especially Swat, Buner and Dir, was discussed in detail. The participants flayed the situation in Malakand division and came down hard on “the inconclusive and futile anti-militants operations,” which they said were yet to show any success.
The participants noted that life and property of the citizens were not safe. People were worried about their future and their children’s future seemed to be at stake, they noted. The participants said the situation was not satisfactory in Buner and tension had gripped the entire population of the district. They alleged that people were undergoing extensive checks by the security agencies at various points.
They said the locals claimed the total number of terrorists in Buner was not more than 35. “All the militants are said to have safe shelter in the mountain of ‘Ilam’. Militants come to Pir Baba Bazaar and purchase commodities without any check,” the meeting was told.
The members said in Charsadda militants from different jehadi organisations were forcibly collecting grains from the villagers and proceeds could be used to buy weapons and food for militants. The participants said even in Peshawar and its suburbs the operatives of the jehadi organisations were bullying people and collecting the wheat.
The meeting expressed concern over the situation in Fata and said the government was not doing enough to help the displaced persons. The road from Peshawar to Parachinar had been closed by the militants for the last over three years. The situation in South and North Waziristan was also termed serious.
The participants said that migration had started from Frontier Region Peshawar believed to have reoccupied the area despite last month’s operation. They advised the security agencies to perform their primary duty of ensuring security in Malakand and leave development activities to the civil government.....
