Cops end protests in Lakki Marwat, Bajaur

PESHAWAR/KHAR: The policemen ended their protests in Lakki Marwat and Bajaur districts on Friday after elders and senior officials assured to address their genuine grievances.

The protest by the policemen in Lakki Marwat district started on Monday after a series of attacks on the force in recent weeks and the martyrdom of their colleagues. Apart from other demands, some cops were also demanding handing over complete control of security in the district to police by withdrawing other forces.

They had refused to end their protest for four days despite the regional police officer Bannu, district police officer Lakki Marwat, deputy commissioners and some senior officers from Peshawar assured all their genuine issues will be addressed.

Late Thursday night, the elders of the district and senior officials including Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan, DIG Ashfaq Anwar, Regional Police Officer Imran Shahid, Deputy Commissioner Fahad Wazir and District Police Officer Taimoor Khan convinced them to open the road as the blockade of the inter provincial highway was causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers, including women, children and patients.

The protestors opened the road after an informal six-point agreement between the protesting cops and the Marwat Jirga. In case the demands were not met, they announced to resume their protest from next week.

According to the jirga, local police will be empowered and quarters concerned will be approached regarding the issue of giving complete control of security of the area to police.

Also, police will be provided more armoured personnel carriers, modern gadgets to thwart attacks and other resources to improve their performance against criminals and terrorists. It was assured there will be no external interference in case of arrest of any terrorist or suspect by the police.

The jirga also assured no action would be taken against the protesting cops while special care of the cops wounded in attacks and the families of martyred will be taken.

IGP Akhtar Hayat Khan said 1757 new posts have been created in southern districts to strengthen the force there while 36 armoured plated vehicles, 12 APCs, 100 motorcycles, 7 trucks have been provided to the police there.

He continued that police were a disciplinary body in which complaints were brought to the officers only by following the rules and regulations and regular disciplinary action is taken for any violation of SOP.

A senior official said that some of the dismissed cops and miscreants within the force were behind the protests in Lakki. He said the policemen in Lakki Marwat and other southern districts have fought bravely against the terrorists and criminals and the bosses will make every effort to address their genuine issues.

Meanwhile, the district administration in Bajaur on Friday held successful talks with the protesting cops, who had staged the protest after the martyrdom of their colleague. The cops had staged the protest after a cop escorting a polio team was martyred in an attack in Salarzai tehsil in the Bajaur district.

Assistant Commissioner, Khar, Sadiq Ali Khan held the negotiations with the protesters on the directives of Deputy Commission Shahid Ali. The local elders also extended help to the district administration in persuading the cops to end the protest. The members of the jirga, including the officials from the district administration and the local elders assured the cops that their lawful demand would be met. After getting the assurance, the cops ended the protest.